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NMUN • NY
GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD COMMITTEE
BACKGROUND GUIDE 2013
Written By: Alicia Nall, Samantha Winn
Additional Contributions By: Heather Purcell
nmun.org
NATIONAL
COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE
association
TM
17 - 21 March - Conference A
24 - 28 March - Conference B
POSITION PAPER INSTRUCTIONS
1. TO COMMITTEE STAFF
A file of the position paper (.doc or .pdf)
for each assigned committee should be
sent to the committee e-mail address listed
here. Mail papers by 1 March to the
e-mail address listed for your particular
venue. Delegates should carbon copy
(cc:) themselves as confirmation of receipt.
Please use the committee name, your
assignment, Conference A or B, and
delegation/school name in both the e-mail
subject line and in the filename (example:
GA1st_Cuba_ConfA_MarsCollege).
2. TO DIRECTOR-GENERAL
• Each delegation should send one
set of all position papers for each
assignment to the e-mail designated for
their venue: positionpapers.nya@nmun.
org or [email protected].
This set (held by each Director-General)
will serve as a back-up copy in case
individual committee directors cannot
open attachments. Note: This e-mail should only be used as a
repository for position papers.
• The head delegate or faculty member
sending this message should cc: him/
herself as confirmation of receipt. (Free
programs like Adobe Acrobat or WinZip
may need to be used to compress files if
they are not plain text.)
• Because of the potential volume of
e-mail, only one e-mail from the Head
Delegate or Faculty Advisor containing all
attached position papers will be accepted.
Please use the committee name, your
assignment, Conference A or B, and
delegation/school name in both the e-mail
subject line and in the filename (example:
GA1st_Cuba_Conf A_Mars College).
Two copies of each position paper should be sent
via e-mail by 1 MARCH 2013
COMMITTEE
EMAIL - CONFERENCE A
COMMITTEE
EMAIL - CONFERENCE B
General Assembly First Committee.................................................... [email protected]
General Assembly Second Committee............................................... [email protected]
General Assembly Fourth Committee................................................. [email protected]
Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations................................ [email protected]
ECOSOC Plenary....................................................................... [email protected]
Commission on the Status of Women.................................................. [email protected]
Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal [email protected]
Economic Commission for Africa........................................................ [email protected]
Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia......................... [email protected]
United Nations Children’s Fund......................................................unicef.nya@nmun.org
United Nations Development Programme ......................................... [email protected]
United Nations Settlements Programme....................................... [email protected]
UN Conference on Trade and Development [email protected]
Human Rights Council.......................................................................hrc.nya@nmun.org
United Nations Population Fund...................................................... [email protected]
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues...................................... [email protected]
Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights
of the Palestinean People ............................................................ [email protected]
Security Council A............................................................................ [email protected]
Security Council B............................................................................ [email protected]
Security Council C............................................................................scc.nya@nmun.org
International Atomic Energy Agency..................................................iaea.nya@nmun.org
General Assembly First Committee.................................................... [email protected]
General Assembly Second Committee............................................... [email protected]
General Assembly Third Committee................................................... [email protected]
General Assembly Fourth Committee................................................. [email protected]
ECOSOC Plenary....................................................................... [email protected]
Commission on the Status of Women.................................................. [email protected]
Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal [email protected]
Economic Commission for Africa........................................................ [email protected]
Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia......................... [email protected]
United Nations Children’s Fund......................................................unicef.nyb@nmun.org
United Nations Development Programme ......................................... [email protected]
United Nations Settlements Programme....................................... [email protected]
UN Conference on Trade and Development [email protected]
Human Rights Council.......................................................................hrc.nyb@nmun.org
United Nations Population Fund...................................................... [email protected]
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues...................................... [email protected]
Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights
of the Palestinean People ............................................................ [email protected]
Security Council A............................................................................ [email protected]
Security Council B............................................................................ [email protected]
Security Council C............................................................................scc.nyb@nmun.org
International Atomic Energy Agency..................................................iaea.nyb@nmun.org
Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations................................ [email protected]
OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS
nmun.org
for more information
Entire Set of Delegation Position Papers............................... [email protected]
(send only to e-mail for your assigned venue)........................ [email protected]
Secretary-General, Conference A................................................... [email protected]
Secretary-General, Conference B................................................... [email protected]
Director(s)-General..........................................................................dirgen.ny@nmun.org
NMUN Office........................................................................................info@nmun.org
THE 2013 NATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS
SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE ASSOCIATION
17–21 March (Conference A) & 24–28 March (Conference B)
Holger Bär &
Miriam Müller
Secretaries-General
Hannah Birkenkötter &
Nicholas Warino
Directors-General
Rachel Johnson &
Thera Watson
Chiefs of Staff
Lucas Carreras &
Laura O’Connor
Assistant Chiefs of Staff
Sameer Kanal &
I-Chun Hsiao
Assistant Secretaries-General
For External Affairs
Kristina Mader &
Daniel Leyva
Under-Secretaries-General
General Assembly
Yvonne Jeffery &
Harald Eisenhauer
Under-Secretaries-General
Economic and Social Council
Meg Martin &
Théo Thieffry
Under-Secretaries-General
Development
Roger Tseng &
Sasha Sleiman
Under-Secretaries-General
Human Rights and
Humanitarian Affairs
Cara Wagner &
Katharina Weinert
Under-Secretaries-General
Peace and Security
Martin Schäfer &
Sara Johnsson
Under-Secretaries-General
Conference Services
BOARD of DIRECTORS
Prof. Richard Reitano
President
Prof. Richard Murgo
Vice-President
Prof. Chaldeans Mensah
Treasurer
Prof. Donna Schlagheck
Secretary
Prof. Pamela Chasek
Jennifer Contreras
Prof. Eric Cox.
Prof. Kevin Grisham
•
http://www.nmun.org
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to the National Model United Nations 2012! We are very pleased to be serving as your Director
and Assistant Director for the General Assembly Third Committee at the second venue this spring. The
Director for this committee will be Alicia Nall, and her Assistant Director is Samantha Winn.
We would like to introduce ourselves, as we will be your first contacts for any questions or suggestions
relating to this committee. Alicia Nall earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in international studies and
history from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. Alicia also earned Juris Doctor from Marquette
University Law School. She is currently working as an attorney in a non-profit organization. This is her
seventh year at the conference and her fourth year on staff. Samantha Winn is completing her final semester
of study towards dual B.A. in History and Political Science with a minor in International Relations at the
University of Texas at Tyler. Her main interests at NMUN include alternative development, the economic
and political empowerment of women, and freedom of information.
This year’s topics are:
I. Strengthening the Regulation of International Drug Trafficking;
II. Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children and Youth, Aging, Disabled Persons, and the
Family; and
III. From the Global Financial Crisis to the Global Social Crisis: Assessing the Social Impact of the
Global Financial Crisis.
The General Assembly Third Committee facilitates discussion on international social, cultural, and
humanitarian issues. Delegates should utilize available resources widely and maintain an internationally
diverse outlook on the topics. This requires an extensive knowledge of the role of the committee along with
an understanding of the social consequences of decision-making. The background guide is meant to help
you develop a basic understanding of the topics and provide you with a starting point for your future
research; it is not designed to serve as your only source of information.
Please take note of the NMUN policies on the website and in the delegate preparation guide regarding
plagiarism, codes of conduct/dress code/sexual harassment, awards philosophy/evaluation method, etc.
Adherence to these guidelines is mandatory.
Your experience in the General Assembly Third Committee will be a challenging but rewarding experience.
If you have any questions regarding your preparation for the committee and the Conference itself, please
feel free to contact us or the Under-Secretary-General for the Department of the General Assembly-Second
Venue, Daniel Leyva Jr. We wish you all the best in your preparation for the Conference and look forward
to seeing you in March.
Sincerely,
Alicia Nall
Director
Samantha Winn
Assistant Director
H. Stephen Halloway, Esq.
Patrick R.D. Hayford
Prof. Raúl Molina-Mejia
Adam X. Storm, Esq.
Prof. Markéta Žídková
Members Ex-Officio
Michael Eaton
Executive Director
The Hon. Joseph H. Melrose, Jr.
President Emeritus
The NCCA-NMUN is a Non-Governmental Organization associated with the United Nations and a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization of the United States.
Message from the Directors-General Regarding Position Papers for the
2013 NMUN Conference
For NMUN-New York 2013, each delegation submits one position paper for each assigned committee. A delegate’s
role as a Member State, Observer State, Non-Governmental Organization, etc. should affect the way a position paper
is written. To understand these differences, please refer to the Delegate Preparation Guide.
Position papers should review each delegation’s policy regarding the topics of the committee. International and
regional conventions, treaties, declarations, resolutions, and programs of action of relevance to the policy of your
State should be identified and addressed. Making recommendations for action by your committee should also be
considered. Position papers also serve as a blueprint for individual delegates to remember their country’s position
throughout the course of the Conference. NGO position papers should be constructed in the same fashion as position
papers of countries. Each topic should be addressed briefly in a succinct policy statement representing the relevant
views of your assigned NGO. You should also include recommendations for action to be taken by your committee.
It will be judged using the same criteria as all country position papers, and is held to the same standard of timeliness.
Please be forewarned, delegates must turn in entirely original material. The NMUN Conference will not tolerate the
occurrence of plagiarism. In this regard, the NMUN Secretariat would like to take this opportunity to remind
delegates that although United Nations documentation is considered within the public domain, the Conference does
not allow the verbatim re-creation of these documents. This plagiarism policy also extends to the written work of the
Secretariat contained within the Committee Background Guides. Violation of this policy will be immediately
reported and may result in dismissal from Conference participation. Delegates should report any incident of
plagiarism to the Secretariat as soon as possible.
Delegation’s position papers may be given an award as recognition of outstanding pre-Conference preparation. In
order to be considered for a Position Paper Award, however, delegations must have met the formal requirements
listed below and be of high substantive standard, using adequate language and showing in-depth research. While we
encourage innovative proposals, we would like to remind delegates to stay within the mandate of their respective
committee and keep a neutral and respectful tone. Similarly to the minus point-policy implemented at the conference
to discourage disruptive behavior, position papers that use offensive language may entail negative grading when
being considered for awards. Please refer to the sample paper following this message for a visual example of what
your work should look like at its completion. The following format specifications are required for all papers:
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All papers must be typed and formatted according to the example in the Background Guides
Length must not exceed two single-sided pages (one double-sided paper, if printed)
Font must be Times New Roman sized between 10 pt. and 12 pt.
Margins must be set at one inch for the whole paper
Country/NGO name, school name and committee name must be clearly labeled on the first page,
National symbols (headers, flags, etc.) are deemed inappropriate for NMUN position papers
Agenda topics must be clearly labeled in separate sections
To be considered timely for awards, please read and follow these directions:
1. A file of the position paper (.doc or .pdf format required) for each assigned committee should be sent to the
committee email address listed in the Background Guide. These e-mail addresses will be active after November 15,
2012. Delegates should carbon copy (cc:) themselves as confirmation of receipt.
2. Each delegation should also send one set of all position papers to the e-mail designated for their venue,
Conference A: [email protected] or Conference B: [email protected]. This set will serve
as a back-up copy in case individual committee directors cannot open attachments. These copies will also be made
available in Home Government during the week of the NMUN Conference.
Each of the above listed tasks needs to be completed no later than March 1, 2013 (GMT-5).
Please use the committee name, your assignment, Conference A or B, and delegation/school name in both the
e-mail subject line and in the filename (example: GA1st_Cuba_ConfA_Mars College).
A matrix of received papers will be posted online for delegations to check prior to the Conference. If you need to
make other arrangements for submission, please contact Hannah Birkenkötter, Director-General (Conference A), or
Nicholas Warino, Director-General (Conference B), at [email protected]. There is an option for delegations to
submit physical copies via regular mail if needed.
Once the formal requirements outlined above are met, Conference staff use the following criteria to evaluate
Position Papers:
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Overall quality of writing, proper style, grammar, etc.
Citation of relevant resolutions/documents
General consistency with bloc/geopolitical constraints
Consistency with the constraints of the United Nations
Analysis of issues, rather than reiteration of the Committee Background Guide
Outline of (official) policy aims within the committee’s mandate
Each delegation can submit a copy of their position paper to the permanent mission of the country being represented,
along with an explanation of the Conference. Those delegations representing NGOs do not have to send their
position paper to their NGO headquarters, although it is encouraged. This will assist them in preparation for the
mission briefing in New York.
Finally, please consider that over 2,000 papers will be handled and read by the Secretariat for the Conference. Your
patience and cooperation in strictly adhering to the above guidelines will make this process more efficient and it is
greatly appreciated. Should you have any questions please feel free to contact the Conference staff, though as we do
not operate out of a central office or location, your consideration for time zone differences is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Conference A
Hannah Birkenkötter
Director-General
[email protected]
Conference B
Nicholas Warino
Director-General
[email protected]
Delegation from
The United Mexican States
Represented by
(Name of College)
Position Paper for the General Assembly Plenary
The issues before the General Assembly Plenary are: The Use of Economic Sanctions for Political and Economic
Compulsion; Democracy and Human Rights in Post-Conflict Regions; as well as The Promotion of Durable Peace
and Sustainable Development in Africa. The Mexican Delegation first would like to convey its gratitude being
elected and pride to serve as vice-president of the current General Assembly Plenary session.
I. The Use of Economic Sanctions for Political and Economic Compulsion
The principles of equal sovereignty of states and non-interference, as laid down in the Charter of the United Nations,
have always been cornerstones of Mexican foreign policy. The legitimate right to interfere by the use of coercive
measures, such as economic sanctions, is laid down in Article 41 of the UN-charter and reserves the right to the
Security Council.
Concerning the violation of this principle by the application of unilateral measures outside the framework of the
United Nations, H.E. Ambassador to the United Nations Enrique Berruga Filloy underlined in 2005 that the Mexico
strongly rejects “the application of unilateral laws and measures of economic blockade against any State, as well as
the implementation of coercive measures without the authorization enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.”
That is the reason, why the United Mexican States supported – for the 14th consecutive time – Resolution
(A/RES/60/12) of 2006 regarding the Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed
by the United States of America against Cuba.
In the 1990s, comprehensive economic sanctions found several applications with very mixed results, which made a
critical reassessment indispensable. The United Mexican States fully supported and actively participated in the
“Stockholm Process” that focused on increasing the effectiveness in the implementation of targeted sanctions. As
sanctions and especially economic sanctions, pose a tool for action “between words and war” they must be regarded
as a mean of last resort before war and fulfill highest requirements for their legitimate use. The United Mexican
States and their partners of the “Group of Friends of the U.N. Reform” have already addressed and formulated
recommendations for that take former criticism into account. Regarding the design of economic sanctions it is
indispensable for the success to have the constant support by all member states and public opinion, which is to a
large degree dependent on the humanitarian effects of economic sanctions. Sanctions must be tailor-made, designed
to effectively target the government, while sparing to the largest degree possible the civil population. Sanction
regimes must be constantly monitored and evaluated to enable the world-community to adjust their actions to the
needs of the unforeseeably changing situation. Additionally, the United Mexican States propose to increase
communication between the existing sanction committees and thus their effectiveness by convening regular
meetings of the chairs of the sanction committees on questions of common interest.
II. Democracy and Human Rights in Post-Conflict Regions
As a founding member of the United Nations, Mexico is highly engaged in the Promotion of Democracy and Human
Rights all over the world, as laid down in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. Especially
since the democratic transition of Mexico in 2000 it is one of the most urgent topics to stand for Democratization
and Human Rights, and Mexico implements this vision on many different fronts.
In the Convoking Group of the intergovernmental Community of Democracies (GC), the United Mexican States
uphold an approach that fosters international cooperation to promote democratic values and institution-building at
the national and international level. To emphasize the strong interrelation between human rights and the building of
democracy and to fortify democratic developments are further challenges Mexico deals with in this committee. A
key-factor for the sustainable development of a post-conflict-region is to hold free and fair election and thus creating
a democratic system. Being aware of the need of post-conflict countries for support in the preparation of democratic
elections, the United Mexican States contribute since 2001 to the work of the International Institute for Democracy
and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), an intergovernmental organization operating at international, regional and national
level in partnership with a range of institutions. Mexico’s foreign policy regarding human rights is substantially
based on cooperation with international organizations. The Inter American Commission of Human Rights is one of
the bodies, Mexico is participating, working on the promotion of Human Rights in the Americas. Furthermore, the
Inter-American Court of Human Rights is the regional judicial institution for the application and interpretation of the
American Convention of Human Rights.
The objectives Mexico pursues are to improve human rights in the country through structural changes and to fortify
the legal and institutional frame for the protection of human rights on the international level. Underlining the
connection between democracy, development and Human Rights, stresses the importance of cooperation with and
the role of the High Commissioner on Human Rights and the reform of the Human Rights Commission to a Human
rights Council.
Having in mind the diversity of challenges in enforcing democracy and Human Rights, Mexico considers regional
and national approaches vital for their endorsement, as Mexico exemplifies with its National Program for Human
Rights or the Plan Puebla Panama. On the global level, Mexico is encouraged in working on a greater coordination
and interoperability among the United Nations and regional organizations, as well as the development of common
strategies and operational policies and the sharing of best practices in civilian crisis management should be
encouraged, including clear frameworks for joint operations, when applicable.
III. The Promotion of Durable Peace and Sustainable Development in Africa
The United Mexican States welcome the leadership role the African Union has taken regarding the security
problems of the continent. Our delegation is furthermore convinced that The New Partnership for Africa’s
Development (NEPAD) can become the foundation for Africa’s economic, social and democratic development as
the basis for sustainable peace. Therefore it deserves the full support of the international community.
The development of the United Mexican States in the last two decades is characterized by the transition to a full
democracy, the national and regional promotion of human rights and sustainable, economic growth. Mexico’s
development is characterized by free trade and its regional integration in the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Having in mind that sustainable development is based not only on economic, but as well on social and
environmental development, President Vicente Fox has made sustainable development a guiding principle in the
Mexican Development Plan that includes sustainability targets for all major policy areas.
The United Nations Security Council has established not less than seven peace-keeping missions on the African
continent, underlining the need for full support by the international community. In post-conflict situations, we regard
national reconciliation as a precondition for a peaceful development, which is the reason why Mexico supported
such committees, i.e. in the case of Sierra Leone. The United Mexican States are convinced that an other to enhance
durable peace in Africa is the institutional reform of the United Nations. We therefore want to reaffirm our full
support to both the establishment of the peace-building commission and the Human Rights Council. Both topics are
highly interrelated and, having in mind that the breach of peace is most often linked with severest human rights’
abuses, thus need to be seen as two sides of one problem and be approached in this understanding.
As most conflicts have their roots in conflicts about economic resources and development chances, human
development and the eradication of poverty must be at the heart of a successful, preventive approach. Lifting people
out of poverty must be seen as a precondition not only for peace, but for social development and environmental
sustainability.
The United Mexican States want to express their esteem for the decision taken by the G-8 countries for a complete
debt-relief for many African Highly-Indebted-Poor-Countries. Nevertheless, many commitments made by the
international community that are crucial for Africa’s sustainable development are unfulfilled. The developed
countries agreed in the Monterrey Consensus of the International Conference on Financing for Development
(A/CONF.198/11) to increase their Official Development Aid (ODA) “towards the target of 0,7 per cent of gross
national product (GNP) as ODA to developing countries and 0,15 to 0,20 per cent of GNP of developed countries to
least developed countries”. Furthermore, the United Mexican States are disappointed by the result of the Hong Kong
Ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization, which once more failed to meet the needs of those, to
whom the round was devoted: developing countries and especially African countries, who today, more than ever, are
cut off from global trade and prosperity by protectionism.
Committee History
Introduction to the General Assembly
The Charter of the United Nations established the General Assembly as “the chief deliberative, policy-making and
representative organ of the United Nations.” 1 The General Assembly holds annual plenary sessions from September
to December as well as special sessions and emergency sessions requested by the Secretary-General. 2 The General
Assembly and each of its Main Committees include voting representatives from each Member State and non-voting
representatives from Permanent Observers, Intergovernmental Organizations, and Non-Governmental
Organizations. 3
Electoral, administrative, and deliberative responsibilities of the General Assembly are outlined in Chapter IV of the
UN Charter. 4 The General Assembly elects members of the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council,
and non-permanent members of the Security Council. 5 The General Assembly is responsible for approving the
administrative budgets of the UN and its specialized agencies, establishing subsidiary organs, admitting new
Member States recommended by the Security Council, and reviewing the internal operations of the UN and its
organs. 6 The Charter authorizes the General Assembly to deliberate on a variety of global issues which require
international cooperation, including questions of international peace, security, and disarmament; economic, social
and cultural issues affecting the international community; and questions of international law and human rights. 7
The General Assembly delivers non-binding recommendations to sovereign Member States, the Security Council,
and other UN organs. 8 The General Assembly may not deliberate on issues which the Security Council is actively
discussing or on which the Council has retained deliberative rights. 9
The Role of the Third Committee
The Third Committee, also known as the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee, is one of six Main
Committees established by the General Assembly to discuss and draft resolutions on specific topics in advance of a
plenary meeting. 10 The remaining Main Committees consist of the Disarmament and International Security
Committee (First Committee); Economics and Financial Committee (Second Committee); the Special Political and
Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee); the Administrative and Budgetary Committee (Fifth Committee);
and the Legal Committee (Sixth Committee). 11 In advance of each annual session, agenda topics are assigned to the
Main Committees by the General Assembly, according to their unique areas of expertise. Main Committees do not
have the authority to introduce new items to their agenda. 12
1
United Nations General Assembly, Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly (A/520/Rev.17), 2007, Section V, Rule 30, and
Section XIII, Rules 99 and 103.
2
United Nations General Assembly, About the General Assembly, 2012
United Nations, United Nations Charter, 1945, Chapter IV, Article 20.
3
United Nations, United Nations Charter, 1945, Chapter IV, Article 9.
United Nations General Assembly, Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly (A/520/Rev.17), 2007, Section XIII,
Rule 100.
4
United Nations, United Nations Charter, 1945, Chapter IV.
5
United Nations, United Nations Charter, 1945, Chapter IV, Article 18.
6
United Nations, United Nations Charter, 1945, Chapter IV, Article 10.
United Nations, United Nations Charter, 1945, Chapter IV, Article 17.
United Nations, United Nations Charter, 1945, Chapter IV, Article 22.
United Nations, United Nations Charter, 1945, Chapter IV, Article 18.
7
United Nations, United Nations Charter, 1945, Chapter IV, Article 11.
8
United Nations, United Nations Charter, 1945, Chapter IV, Articles 13.
United Nations, United Nations Charter, 1945, Chapter IV, Articles 14.
9
United Nations, United Nations Charter, 1945, Chapter IV, Article 12.
10
International Organization, The General Assembly, 1947, p. 46.
11
United Nations General Assembly, Main Committees, 2012.
12
United Nations General Assembly, “Rules of Procedure,” Section XIII, Rule 97.
The Third Committee deliberates on the assigned agenda items and prepares draft resolutions for the General
Assembly Plenary to vote on. 13 Draft resolutions and deliberations produced in the Third Committee are not binding
on Member States or other UN agencies. 14 The Third Committee seeks to build broad consensus among its
membership. 15
The Third Committee derives its mandate from Chapter IV, Article 13 of the UN Charter, which commissions the
General Assembly to prepare informed recommendations for members of the international community to address
human rights issues and work together to promote common development goals. 16 Although its mandate has
periodically faced criticism for overlapping with the Second Committee and the Economic and Social Council, the
Third Committee represents a unique plenary level forum for the discussion of social development and human
rights. 17 The Committee draws upon established international norms found in major instruments which include but
are not limited to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, he International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, and the Declaration on the Right to
Development (A/RES/41/128). 18
In advance of each annual session, members of the Third Committee elect a bureau of chief officers, comprised of
one Chairman, three Vice-Chairmen, and a Rapporteur. Officers serve for a single term, with one representative from
each geographic region. 19 Elections for the Chairman are held at least three months before the annual session begins,
and Third Committee members typically elect the remaining officers within one week of annual session's opening
meeting. 20
Cooperation with Other Agencies
The Third Committee works with many UN organs and subsidiary bodies to draft proposals for the General
Assembly Plenary. Chief among these is the Humans Rights Council (HRC), established in 2006. In accordance with
A/RES/65/281 and A/RES/65/503 A, the President of the HRC reports to both the plenary and the Third
Committee. 21 In the 67th session, the Third Committee will collaborate on agenda items with the HRC, the
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV), UNWomen, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Population
Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children’s
Fund (UNICEF), the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
(OSRSG-CAC), the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 22
The Committee also hears reports from UN High-Level Officials and Special Procedure Mandate-Holders, including
Special Rapporteurs and officials representing a variety of specialized committees. 23
13
Fasulo, An Insider’s Guide to the UN, 2004, p.65.
Fasulo, An Insider’s Guide to the UN, 2004, p.72.
15
Karns, International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance, 2004, p.28.
16
United Nations, United Nations Charter, 1945, Chapter IV, Article 13.
17
Peterson, UN General Assembly, 2006, p. 61-62.
18
United Nations General Assembly, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948
United Nations General Assembly, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966
United Nations General Assembly, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966
United Nations General Assembly, Declaration on the Right to Development (A/RES/41/128), 1986.
19
United Nations General Assembly, Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly (A/520/Rev.17), 2007, Section XIII, Rule 103.
20
United Nations General Assembly, Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly (A/520/Rev.17), 2007, Section XIII, Rules 99
and 103.
21
United Nations General Assembly, Review of the Human Rights Council (A/RES/65/281), 2011.
22
United Nations General Assembly, Organization of work of the Third Committee, Note by the Secretariat, Addendum,
Documentation before the Third Committee (A/C.3/67/L.1/Add.1/Rev.1), 2012.
23
United Nations Third Committee, 67th Session, Complete List of the Special Procedure Mandate-Holders and UN High-Level
Officials presentations to the GA Third Committee, 2012.
14
Recent Actions of the Third Committee
During the 66th session, the Third Committee submitted proposals under seventeen agenda topics, five of which
dealt with specific aspects of human rights. 24 Over half of the draft resolutions presented to the General Assembly
Plenary dealt with questions of human rights, including action plans for the implementation of human rights
instruments, the clarification of international norms, and human rights situations in various Member States. 25 Other
agenda items which produced a large volume of draft resolutions include crime prevention and criminal justice,
international drug control, social development, and the advancement of women. 26
On September 4, 2012, the Third Committee elected Henry L. Mac-Donald (Permanent Representative of Suriname)
as Chair of its 67th session. 27 In his opening statement to the first meeting of the Third Committee 67th session on
October 8, 2012, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Wu Hongbo described the Committee’s
work as comprising “a full range of social development issues, from the ongoing challenges in tackling poverty and
unemployment, to fostering social inclusion and advancing human rights.” 28
Agenda items assigned to the Third Committee for the 67th session include social development, the advancement of
women, the promotion of human rights (paying special attention to vulnerable groups such as children, refuges, and
indigenous peoples), the right to self-determination, the elimination of racial discrimination, combating international
terrorism and the drug trade, and revitalizing the work of the General Assembly. 29
Conclusion
Delegates to the modern Third Committee must overcome many challenges, not the least of which is a geopolitical
climate which General Assembly President Vuk Jeremić (Serbia) described as “unlike any the world has ever seen,
one of truly global interdependence.” 30 Third Committee delegates face particular pressure with respect to the
Millennium Development Goals, whose target date of 2015 is rapidly approaching. 31 Delegates should be mindful of
the Third Committee's role within the General Assembly structure and how the Third Committee interacts with other
UN organs. Successful policy making at the plenary level requires flexibility and dedication to broad consensus, in
order to mobilize unique sovereign interests into practical global solutions.
24
United Nations Third Committee, 66th Session, Reports to the Plenary, 2011.
United Nations General Assembly, Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural: Third Committee, 2012.
United Nations Department of Public Information, Third Committee Approves Draft Resolutions on Human Rights
Situations in Iran, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Myanmar, 2011.
United Nations Department of Public Information, Third Committee Approves Resolution Condemning Human Rights
Violations in Syria by Vote of 122 in favour to 13 against, with 41 Abstentions, 2011.
26
United Nations Third Committee, 66th Session, Status of Action on Draft Proposals, 2011.
27
United Nations Department of Public Information, Third Committee Elects Bureau for 67th General Assembly Session, 2012.
28
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Wu Hongbo Under –Secretary-General for Economic and
Social Affairs Remarks at the Opening of the Third Committee of the General Assembly, 2012.
29
United Nations General Assembly, 67th Session, Allocation of Agenda Items to the Third Committee (A/C.3/67.1), 2012.
30
United Nations General Assembly, President of the 67th Session, Opening Statement at the General Debate of the 67th Session
of the United Nations General Assembly, 2012.
31
United Nations Millennium Development Goals, Background.
25
Annotated Bibliography
Peterson, M. (2006). The UN General Assembly. London and New York: Routledge.
This text provides a comprehensive analysis of the development of the General Assembly,
including key insights into the creation and evolution of the Main Committees. Delegates should
look to this source to learn more about the original scope and purpose of the Third Committee,
and how it has expanded or narrowed over time. This source also explains the Third Committee's
relationships with the Second Committee and ECOSOC, two agencies which have historically held
closely related mandates.
United Nations General Assembly. (2012). Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural: Third Committee. Retrieved October
10, 2012 from http://www.un.org/en/ga/third/
As the official website of the Third Committee, this source provides a wealth of documentation for
delegates who would like to learn more about current or past work of the Third Committee. The
Third Committee website includes meeting schedules, upcoming agendas, draft resolutions and
other proposals, press releases by and about the committee, and information about special
initiatives.
United Nations General Assembly. (2012). Organization of work of the Third Committee, Note by the Secretariat,
Addendum, Documentation before the Third Committee (A/C.3/67/L.1/Add.1/Rev.1). Retrieved October 12, 2012,
from http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/C.3/67/L.1/Add.1/Rev.1
This source includes a complete list of agenda items to be considered by the Third Committee
during the 67th session. Specifically, the annex lists the title, document symbol, and referring
agency for each draft resolution scheduled for deliberation. The list is arranged by agenda
heading (i.e. “Social Development” or “International Drug Control”) which makes it a useful
starting point for delegates seeking more information about the Third Committee's upcoming
activities on a particular topic.
United Nations Third Committee. 67th Session. (2012). Complete List of the Special Procedure Mandate-Holders
and UN High-Level Officials presentations to the GA Third Committee. Retrieved October 11, 2012, from
http://www.un.org/en/ga/third/67/dialogues.shtml
Delegates may use this source to find a list of upcoming presentations by Special Rapporteurs,
Committee Chairs, and independent experts to the Third Committee. This source will be regularly
updated throughout the session. Like the previous source, this item provides information about the
upcoming activities of the Third Committee. The list of Special Procedure Mandate-Holders and
UN High-Level Officials represents a significant proportion of entities who regularly collaborate
with the Third Committee.
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (2012). Mr. Wu Hongbo Under –Secretary-General for
Economic and Social Affairs Remarks at the Opening of the Third Committee of the General Assembly. Retrieved
October 12, 2012, from http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/usg/statements/opening-statement-at-the-openingof-the-third-committee-of-the-general-assembly.html
The opening statements of Mr. Wu Hongbo characterize the general tone of the Third Committee's
67th session. His remarks reflect the concerns highlighted in previous speeches by General
Assembly President Vuk Jeremić and Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. Delegates should look to
this source to gain an understanding of how the Third Committee's work supports the United
Nation's institutional goals for the 67th session. The Department of Economic and Social Affairs
provides vital expertise and support to the Third Committee.
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Peterson, M. (2006). The UN General Assembly. London and New York: Routledge.
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I. Strengthening the Regulation of International Drug Trafficking
Our efforts to promote development and fight drugs and crime will be more effective if they are rooted in
partnerships with the young, civil society, governments, and the international community. Working together, we can
alleviate the suffering of millions and break the hold of drugs and crime on countries, communities and families. 32
History of International Drug Control
The International Opium Convention of The Hague of 1912, a product of the 1909 International Opium Commission
in Shangai, represents the first multilateral treaty dealing with the question of international drug control. 33 The
Convention gained significant international support after it was incorporated into the peace treaties of World War I. 34
In 1920, the League of Nations assumed responsibility for the Convention, passing a series of complimentary
instruments which included the 1931 Convention for Limiting the Manufacture and Regulating the Distribution of
Narcotic Drugs and the 1936 Convention for the Suppression of the Illicit Traffic in Dangerous Drugs. 35
International drug control passed to the United Nations in 1946. Under the auspices of the newly created
Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the United Nations adopted the 1948 Synthetics Narcotics Protocol and the
1953 Opium Protocol. 36
In 1961, the United Nations sought to merge fifty years of drug control treaties into a single overarching document.
The resulting instrument, the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, is considered the “cornerstone of today's
international drug control regime.” 37 Modern international drug control addresses drug supply, demand, and
trafficking as well as the promotion of harm reduction strategies. 38 Global prohibition has prevailed as the dominant
model of international drug control in the 20th and 21st centuries. 39
Legal Framework for Regulation
The legal framework for drug control derives from three major instruments. The 1961 Single Convention on
Narcotic Drugs (as amended by the 1972 Protocol) unifies fifty years of multilateral drug trade agreements,
addressing the regulation of raw material and narcotics manufacturing, the creation of drug schedules, and nonbinding suggestions for the penalization of drug offenses. 40 The convention also created the International Narcotics
Control Board (INCB), an independent monitoring body that reports to the CND and Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC). 41 In 1972, Member States amended the Single Convention to include provisions that addressed drug
demand in addition to drug supply. 42
The 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances was drafted to strengthen the controls established in the 1961
Single Convention and to address the emergence of non-plant based synthetic drugs, which fell outside the existing
drug control framework. 43 The 1971 Convention called for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug abusers,
recommended limited measures to regulate licit trade and prevent illicit trafficking, and created criteria for new
substances to be incorporated into the international drug control regime at the recommendation of the World Health
Organization (WHO). 44
32
United Nations Secretary-General, International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: Secretary-General’s Message
for 2012, 2012.
33
International Narcotics Control Board, Message from the President: Building on the Achievements of A Century of
International Drug Control, 2012.
34
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Chronology:100 years of drug control, 2009.
35
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, A Century of International Drug Control, 2009.
36
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Chronology:100 years of drug control, 2009.
37
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Chronology:100 years of drug control, 2009.
38
Carstairs, The stages of the international drug control system. Drug and Alcohol Review, 2005, pp. 62-63.
39
Crick, Drugs as an existential threat: An analysis of the international securitization of drugs, 2012, p. 407.
40
Bewley-Taylor, Regime change: Re-visiting the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 2012, p.75.
41
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Legal Framework for Drug Trafficking, 2012.
42
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Chronology:100 years of drug control, 2009.
43
Bewley-Taylor, Regime change: Re-visiting the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 2012, p. 79.
44
United Nations, Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971.
In 1988, the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
codified provisions to reduce the profitability of illicit traffic and regulate the procurement of precursors (licit
substances used to manufacture and produce illicit drugs). 45 The 1988 Convention targeted illicit traffic in narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances as a threat to social and economic development. 46 The document reflected
growing concerns about the relationship between trafficking and organized crime, a connection which gained special
significance in the 1980s as sustained drug related violence overwhelmed authorities in South America. 47 Provisions
of the 1988 Convention reinforced existing treaties and called for greater coordination among Member States in
controlling traffic by air, land, and sea. 48 The 2000 Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, while not
specific to drug trade, strengthened and expanded upon illicit trafficking controls contained in the 1988
Convention. 49 For the first time, the United Nations recognized transnational organized crime as “the key
infrastructure in global illicit trafficking.” 50
Impact of Drug Trafficking on Development
Drug trafficking has widespread social and economic consequences, especially in narcotics-producing states. 51 Illicit
trafficking contributes to social and political instability through corruption, the disruption of legitimate economic
networks, and drug addiction. 52 Drug trafficking tends to coincide with illicit trafficking in persons, antiquities, and
weapons, often to the benefit of criminal organizations and non-state actors. 53 Illicit financial flows from trafficking
revenues fund criminal networks and promote corruption among government officials; organizations involved in
drug trafficking often engage in money-laundering, a process which obscures the source of revenue gained through
illicit means. 54 In many vulnerable states, trafficking in narcotics and psychoactive substances perpetuates cycles of
poverty and violence:
[Countries like Afghanistan and Colombia] have experienced violent conflict for decades and the
illicit drug trade has become inextricably linked with insurgencies. Not only does drug production
flourish in areas of poor governance but also the sheer volume of cash and weapons helps
perpetuate the cycles of violence. Despite the huge profits to be made from the illicit drug trade…
virtually all the revenues go to the national and international DTOs [drug trafficking
organizations]. Not only do farmers get little reward for the crops they produce but they have to
pay a high cost in terms of security. 55
As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon emphasized in his remarks to the 2012 General Assembly Thematic Debate
on Drugs and Crime as a Threat to Development, illicit drug trade promotes the presence of criminal networks and
disrupts the implementation of sustainable development strategies. 56 Other UN officials have cautioned that the
negative effect of drug-related crime on development presents a serious threat to the realization of the Millennium
Development Goals. 57 The General Assembly codified a dual approach of crop eradication and alternative
development during its 1998 Twentieth Special Session on the World Drug Problem. 58
45
International Control Board, Precursors, 2012.
United Nations, Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.
47
Carstairs, The stages of the international drug control system, 2005, pp. 61-62.
48
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Legal Framework for Drug Trafficking, 2012.
49
United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (A/Res/55/25), 2000.
50
Kelly, Illicit Trafficking, 2005, p. 39.
51
Jenner, International Drug Trafficking: A Global Problem with a Domestic Solution, 2011, p. 911.
52
Kelly, Illicit Trafficking, 2005, p. 56.
53
Kelly, Illicit Trafficking, 2005, pp. 57-58.
54
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Estimating Illicit Financial Flows Resulting from Drug Trafficking and Other
Transnational Organized Crimes, 2011, p. 99.
55
Crick, Drugs as an existential threat: An analysis of the international securitization of drugs, 2012, 413.
56
Ki-moon, Remarks to the General Assembly’s Thematic Debate on Drugs and Crime as a Threat to Development, 2012.
57
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Remarks of the Executive Director UNODC at the Thematic Debate on Drugs and
Crime as a Threat to Development, 2012.
58
United Nations General Assembly, Twentieth Special Session, Action Plan on International Cooperation on the Eradication of
Illicit Drug Crops and on Alternative Development (A/RES/S-20/4), 1998.
46
UN Agencies and Programmes Dealing with Illicit Drug Trade
Many UN agencies address the issue of illicit drugs. The CND, a functional commission of ECOSOC, provides key
policy recommendations to the Third Committee through ECOSOC reports. 59 The CND approves the budget of the
UNODC Drug Programme and monitors Member State compliance with international drug conventions and political
commitments. 60 The 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances,
and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances expanded the
mandate of the CND to place new substances under international control at the recommendation of the WHO and
the INCB. 61
The INCB is an independent monitoring body established through the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. 62
Subsequent treaties granted the INCB additional functions. 63 Under its current mandate, the INCB works with
Member States to monitor the licit production of controlled substances and precursors. 64 Additionally, the INCB
provides training programmes and recommendations to Member States and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)
to strengthen drug control regimes at the national and international level. 65 The INCB submits an annual report to
ECOSOC through the CND. 66
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) provides legal and technical expertise to Member States,
communicates policy recommendations to the General Assembly Third Committee, performs vital studies on drugs
and crime, and coordinates multiple programs. 67 The UNODC annually publishes the World Drug Report, a
comprehensive analysis of the global drug problem and the state of international drug control; the most recent report
was published in June 2012. 68 Key programs administered by the UNODC regarding illicit drug control include the
UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP); the Global Synthetics Monitoring: Analyses, Reporting, and
Trends (SMART) Programme; the Alternative Development Programme; the Illicit Crop Monitoring Programme;
the Airport Communication Programme (AIRCOP); and multiple regional programs in regions vulnerable to drug
traffic. 69 The UNODC also monitors illicit financial flows resulting from drug traffic. 70
In 2011, the Secretary-General established the UN Task Force on Transnational Organized Crime and Drug
Trafficking, jointly chaired by the UNODC and United Nations Department of Political Affairs (DPA), to “[ensure] a
coherent and effective response to drugs and crime from the UN system.” 71 The Task Force is comprised of
representatives from the Department for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKA), the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Department of Political Affairs (DPA), the Peacebuilding Support Office
59
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Commission on Narcotic Drugs, 2012.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Mandate and functions, 2012.
61
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Mandate and functions, 2012.
62
International Narcotics Control Board, Our Mission, 2012.
63
International Narcotics Control Board, Mandate and Functions, 2012.
64
International Narcotics Control Board, Mandate and Functions, 2012.
65
International Narcotics Control Board, Mandate and Functions, 2012.
66
International Narcotics Control Board, Mandate and Functions, 2012.
67
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, About UNODC, 2012.
68
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Drug Report 2012, 2012.
69
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, The UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP), 2012.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, The Global SMART Programme: A Strategic response to the
synthetic drug problem, 2012.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC and Alternative Development, 2012.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC and illicit crop monitoring, 2012.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, West and Central Africa, AIRCOP, 2012.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Drug Trafficking, 2012.
70
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Estimating Illicit Financial Flows Resulting from Drug Trafficking and Other
Transnational Organized Crimes, 2011.
71
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Press Release, UN Task Force on Transnational Organized Crime and Drug
Trafficking enters new phase with Tajikistan regional meeting, 2012.
60
(PBSO), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Children's Fund
(UNICEF), UN Women, and the World Bank. 72
Role of the Third Committee in International Drug Control
The General Assembly Third Committee annually considers draft resolutions and recommendations under the
agenda item “Drug control, crime prevention, and combating international terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations.” 73 During the course of its regular annual session, the Third Committee considers recommendations
from the UNODC, UN High-Level officials, and special committees dealing with international drug control. 74 The
Third Committee presents an annual summary of its deliberations to the General Assembly Plenary. 75 The Third
Committee provides an inclusive platform for all Member States to engage the question of international drug
control, an opportunity not available through more narrowly focused UN organs.
Recent Developments
The international drug control regime has not remained static in the 21st century. In the 2005 World Summit
Outcome document, the General Assembly expressed “grave concern at the negative effects on development, peace
and security, and human rights posed by transnational crime, including the… world narcotic drug problem” and
affirmed its commitment to “overcome the world narcotic drug problem through international cooperation and
national strategies.” 76
In 2009, the 52nd session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs hosted a high-level segment to discuss progress
achieved by the United Nations since the 1998 General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem. 77
The resulting Political Declaration and Plan of Action, adopted by 132 states at the recommendation of the General
Assembly Third Committee, called for a multi-pronged collaborative approach to strengthen existing instruments
and streamline the UN response to drug control. 78 The Political Declaration reiterated the impact of trafficking on
social development, stating, “[d]rug trafficking and abuse pose a major threat to the health, dignity and hopes of
millions of people and their families and lead to the loss of human lives.” 79 Furthermore, the Political Declaration
acknowledged the growing relationship between “drug trafficking, corruption, and other forms of organized
crime.” 80
Member States met in 2010 for the 12th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in
Salvador, Brazil. The resulting Salvador Declaration on Comprehensive Strategies for Global Challenges: Crime
prevention and criminal justice systems and their development in a changing world (A/CONF.213/17) recommended
a unified strategy to implement existing drug control commitments at the regional, national, and international
level. 81 The Declaration emphasized the “increasing links between transnational organized crime and drug
72
United Nations Task Force on Transnational Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking, Presentation to the ACPR Bangkok 30
May 2012, 2012.
73
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, The General Assembly and the CND and CCPCJ, 2012.
74
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC documentation prepared for the 67th session of the General Assembly,
2012.
75
United Nations General Assembly, Third Committee, International drug control: Report of the Third Committee (A/66/464),
2011.
76
United Nations General Assembly, 2005 World Summit Outcome (A/RES/60/1), 2005.
77
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation Towards
an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem, 2009.
78
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation Towards
an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem, 2009, pp. 3-4.
United Nations General Assembly, International cooperation against the world drug problem (A/Res/64/182),
2010.
79
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation Towards
an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem, 2009, p. 7.
80
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation Towards
an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem, 2009, p. 13.
81
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Salvador Declaration on Comprehensive Strategies for Global Challenges: Crime
prevention and criminal justice systems and their development in a changing world (A/CONF.213/17), 2010.
trafficking in the context of the world drug problem.” 82
In honor of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, 2012, the General Assembly
held a thematic debate on Drugs and Crime as a Threat to Development. 83 The debate anticipated strong action
during the 67th session as Member States considered relevant decisions from the Rio+20 conference and looked
forward to the 2015 Thirteenth UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Doha, Qatar. 84
Recent Actions by the Third Committee
During its 66th session, the Third Committee considered two draft resolutions recommended by ECOSOC on the
topic of drug control, and one draft resolution prepared by Member States concerning international cooperation
against the world drug problem. 85 The General Assembly plenary adopted A/RES/66/183 in April 2012 on the report
of the Third Committee. In October 2012, the Third Committee held a two-day debate on Crime Prevention and
International Drug Control featuring UNODC Deputy Executive Director Mr. Sandeep Chawla. 86 The Third
Committee received the Report of the Secretary-General on International cooperation against the World Drug
Problem (A/67/157) in June 2012, in advance of its 67th session. 87
Challenges of Regulation
Although the principles of the international drug control instruments enjoy broad recognition among Member States,
implementation over the past century has been irregular. The most recent UNODC World Report indicates, “there
has been no significant change in the global status quo regarding the use, production, and health consequences of
illicit drugs.” 88 The non-medical use of prescription drugs has increased. 89 Drug manufacturers are finding newer
and more efficient ways to design sophisticated synthetic substances that do not meet existing standards for
international control, such as methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDVP), known colloquially as “bath salts.” 90 The
presence of violent conflict and corruption also delays the implementation of international commitments at the
national level. 91
Barriers to Implementation
In his introductory remarks to the Third Committee on October 10, 2012, Sandeep Chawla, Deputy Executive
Director of the UNODC, expressed concern about the irregularity of fiscal support for his department. Without more
consistent funding, he cautioned that the UNODC could not meet its obligations. 92 Mr. Chawla also urged Member
States to consider streamlining the governance structure of the UNODC to reflect a more consistent purpose. 93
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also addressed the fiscal vulnerability of the UNODC in his 2012 Report on
International cooperation against the world drug problem (A/67/157). 94 Overlapping drug control mandates across
82
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Salvador Declaration on Comprehensive Strategies for Global Challenges: Crime
prevention and criminal justice systems and their development in a changing world (A/CONF.213/17), 2010,
section 47.
83
United Nations General Assembly, President of the 66th Session, Thematic Debate of the 66th session of the United Nations
General Assembly on Drugs and Crime as a Threat to Development on the occasion of the UN International
Day
against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2012.
84
United Nations General Assembly, President of the 66th Session, Opening Remarks at the Thematic Debate of the General
Assembly on Drugs and Crime as a Threat to Development, 2012.
85
United Nations General Assembly, Third Committee, International Drug Control: Report of the Third Committee, 2011.
86
United Nations Department of Public Information, Heinous, Fast-growing crimes of human, drug trafficking will continue to
ravage world’s economies without coordinated global action, third committee told, 2012.
87
United Nations Secretary-General, International Cooperation against the world drug problem: Report of the SecretaryGeneral (A/67/157), 2012.
88
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Drug Report 2012 Executive Summary, 2012, p. 1.
89
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Drug Report 2012 Executive Summary, 2012, p. 3.
90
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Drug Report 2012 Executive Summary, 2012, p. 3.
91
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Drug Report 2012 Executive Summary, 2012, p. 5.
92
United Nations Department of Public Information, World faces complex, interconnected threats from practically seamless
‘web of drugs, crime and sometimes terrorism’, third committee told, 2012.
93
United Nations Department of Public Information, World faces complex, interconnected threats from practically seamless ‘
web of drugs, crime and sometimes terrorism’, third committee told, 2012.
94
United Nations Secretary-General, International Cooperation against the world drug problem: Report of the SecretaryGeneral (A/67/157), 2012, Chapter VII, sections 71-72.
the UN structure present another concern. As Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reported in his 2006 mandate review,
“the work of the United Nations system in the areas of drug control, crime prevention, and combating international
terrorism is highly fragmented.” 95 Multiple agencies claim responsibility for monitoring and reporting on the
implementation of existing instruments. 96 The UN Task Force on Transnational Organized Crime and Drug
Trafficking represents one approach to addressing these concerns. 97
Within Member States, the fiscal burden of compliance presents a significant barrier; this is especially true for
narcotics producing states, which tend to have weaker judicial structures in place to combat drug trafficking. 98 The
vulnerabilities of a single state can negatively affect the stability of an entire region. As the representative for Japan
expressed during a recent debate on drug control in the Third Committee, “A loophole created in one State affects
the neighbouring States and consequently undermines the effectiveness of the international legal framework.” 99
Member States retain sole responsibility for implementing their commitments under international drug control
treaties; no mechanisms exist to step in when states cannot or will not implement the provisions on their own. 100
Unintended Consequences
In addition to circumstantial barriers that prevent the implementation of existing commitments, effective regulation
of illicit drugs has produced unanticipated problems. International regulation of plant-based and synthetic drugs has
given birth to a booming black market, a factor that significantly offsets the public health benefits realized under
drug prohibition. 101 Counter-narcotic efforts in Afghanistan and Colombia have resulted in the displacement of
significant numbers of people, creating new populations of displaced persons that are not presently entitled to
benefits from the international system. 102 Increasingly, the successful regulation of plant-based drugs has resulted in
the chemical manufacturing of unregulated synthetic alternatives with severe side effects. The synthetic heroin
alternative desomorphine, also known as Krokodil, has emerged in parts of Eastern Europe and Asia in response to a
reduction in poppy cultivation. 103
Conclusion
The emergence of thriving transnational criminal organizations requires strong international collaboration, if
Member States hope to effectively contain or eliminate drug trafficking. As former UNODC Executive Director Yuri
Fedotov declared, “No country or region is powerful enough to halt the criminal networks that undermine security,
and economic and social well-being.” 104 In order to ensure lasting gains towards development goals, Member States
must recognize and preempt the impact of the drug trade through technical assistance, alternative development
strategies, and broad cross-border cooperation.
Delegates in the Third Committee must evaluate how their state has approached the question of drug control within
95
United Nations Secretary-General, Mandating and delivering: analysis and recommendations to facilitate the review of
mandates, report of the Secretary-General (A/60/733), 2006.
96
United Nations Secretary-General, Mandating and delivering: analysis and recommendations to facilitate the review of
mandates, report of the Secretary-General (A/60/733), 2006.
97
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Press Releases, Member States Express Strong Support for the “One-UN'
Approach Taken by UNODC and other Task Force Partners on Transnational Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking,
2011.
98
Jenner, International Drug Trafficking: A Global Problem with a Domestic Solution, 2011, p. 911.
99
United Nations Department of Public Information, World faces complex, interconnected threats from practically seamless ‘web
of drugs, crime and sometimes terrorism’, third committee told, 2012.
100
Bewley-Taylor, D. (2003). Challenging the UN drug control conventions: problems and possibilities. International Journal of
Drug Policy, 2003, p. 173.
101
Bewley-Taylor, Regime change: Re-visiting the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 2012, p. 74.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation
Towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem, 2009, p. 2.
102
Barret, Security, development and human rights: Normative, legal and policy challenges for the international drug control
system, 2010, p. 141.
103
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Remarks of the Executive Director UNODC at the Thematic Debate on Drugs and
Crime as a Threat to Development, 2012. Shields, Reuters: Africa, New poppy blight poised to boost opium price –
U.N., 2012.
104
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Remarks of the Executive Director UNODC at the Thematic Debate on Drugs and
Crime as a Threat to Development, 2012.
its own borders, its region, and the international community. Approaches to the drug control question exist along a
spectrum, with absolute prohibition and absolute legalization representing two extremes. Delegates should know
whether they classify as a narcotics producing state, a narcotics consuming state, or a transit state; the unique
vulnerabilities of each category will shape the political approach each state pursues. Delegates should also consider
how regional programs have impacted their state and how they have financially contributed to or benefited from
UN-lead initiatives. Delegates should give significant consideration to funding sources and existing UN mechanisms
for international drug control, in order to avoid redundant or irrelevant proposals. Delegates should reflect upon the
concerns of high-level UN officials regarding overlapping mandates and insufficient funding for UN drug control
initiatives. Reflecting the spirit of the existing treaties, Third Committee delegates should remain conscious of the
sovereign interests of each Member State as they deliberate on possible solutions.
Annotated Bibliography
Barret, D. (2010). Security, development and human rights: Normative, legal and policy challenges for the
international drug control system. International Journal of Drug Policy, 21 (2): 140-144. Retrieved October 15,
2012 from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2010.01.005
This scholarly article analyzes the shortcomings of the UN system in its approach to international
drug control, paying special attention to negative global trends that have manifested because of
international regulations and counter-narcotic initiatives. Delegates should review this source to
gain better understand some of the barriers that constrain UN agencies from carrying out effective
policies against the international drug trade.
Bewley-Taylor, D and M. Jelsma. (2012). Regime change: Re-visiting the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs. International Journal of Drug Policy 23 (2012), 72-81. Retrieved October 12, 2012 from
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2011.08.003
This document provides an extensive review of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, from a
historiographical and political perspective. The article documents the origins of the Convention in
pre-United Nations instruments, reviews contemporary and current criticisms of the drug control
regime, and provides useful recommendations for revising the Convention to reflect the demands
of the present day drug problem.
Jelsma, M. (2003). Drugs in the UN System: the unwritten history of the 1998 United Nations General Assembly
Special Session on Drugs. International Journal of Drug Policy, 14 (2): 181-195. Retrieved October 15, 2012 from
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0955-3959(03)00006-9
This document explores the struggle to achieve international consensus at the 1998 United
Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on Drugs. The author describes tensions
between prohibition favoring states and states that would prefer a reformed approach to drug
control. The document includes a discussion of challenges made by Member States to the existing
international drug control regime, paying special attention to rhetoric used by Member States
during the deliberations. Delegates may find this source helpful as they investigate long term
positions and seek out allies in the international community.
Reinarman, Craig. (2003). Geo-political and cultural constraints on international drug control treaties. International
Journal of Drug Policy. 14 (2): 205-208. Retrieved October 15, 2012 from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S09553959(03)00010-0
This sociological analysis of international drug control highlights the social and economic
consequences of the current regulatory regime, and details the political mechanisms that deter
treaty reforms. The author highlights shortcomings of the existing treaties and explores the
varying degree and means of implementation among Member States. Although the document is
brief, it provides vital insights regarding the efficacy of the existing treaties and the prevailing
conversations about political reform.
Singer, M. (2008). Drugs and development: The global impact of drug use and trafficking on social and economic
development. International Journal of Drug Policy, 19 (6): 467-478. Retrieved October 15, 2012 from
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2006.12.007
As the Third Committee deals with social, humanitarian, and cultural affairs, delegates should pay
special attention to the multi-faceted relationships identified between drugs and development
concerns in this paper. This article pays special attention to the health and social development
aspects of the Millennium Development Goals, as they are burdened by the drug trade. The paper
provides recommendations for mitigating or eliminating the negative impact of drugs on
development. Additionally, the author identifies long term trends in violence and corruption, which
interrupt the effective implementation of development initiatives.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2009). A Century of International Drug Control. Retrieved October 13,
2012 from http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/Studies/100_Years_of_Drug_Control.pdf
This UNODC publication provides a concise overview of the history of international drug control
from 1909 through 2009. The document discusses long term trends and achievements as well as
unanticipated consequences of drug control. The document also provides summaries of each
major drug control instrument passed by the UN. Most importantly, this document details the
historical approaches taken by the international community over the course of the twentieth and
twenty-first centuries, with a special emphasis on the participation of early colonial powers.
Delegates will find a list of abbreviations frequently used in the discussion of international drug
control.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2009). Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International
Cooperation Towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem. Retrieved October
12, 2012 from http://www.unodc.org/documents/commissions/CND-Uploads/CND-52-RelatedFiles/V0984963English.pdf
The 2009 Political Declaration builds upon the landmark commitments codified during the 1998
Special Session on the World Drug Problem. The Declaration contains a comprehensive political
action plan based in the policy recommendations of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and high
level officials. Within the UN system, the Declaration represents the future direction of political
action on the world drug problem. Delegates should be familiar with its political principles,
strategy recommendations, and proposed reforms.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2010). Salvador Declaration on Comprehensive Strategies for Global
Challenges: Crime prevention and criminal justice systems and their development in a changing world
(A/CONF.213/17). Retrieved October 12, 2012 from http://www.unodc.org/documents/crime-congress/12th-CrimeCongress/Documents/Salvador_Declaration/Salvador_Declaration_E.pdf
The Salvador Declaration is the outcome document from the 12th United Nations Crime Congress
in 2010, held in Salvador, Brazil. This document highlights commitments made by Member States
to combat transnational organized crime. The Salvador Declaration calls for increased
cooperation at the international level and a review of UN system governance and mandates.
Delegates should review this document in order to understand how the UN approaches drug
trafficking within the context of transnational organized crime.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. World Drug Report (2012). Retrieved August 30, 2012 from
http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR2012/WDR_2012_web_small.pdf.
The UNODC World Drug Report of 2012 contains a summary of research analysis on the progress
of UN alternative development and counter-narcotics initiatives, global drug use statistics, trends
in production and trafficking, the fiscal solvency of the UNODC, barriers to implementation, and
the status of existing cross-border partnerships. This source provides authoritative statistics and
recommendations relevant to delegate interests.
United Nations Secretary-General. (2012). International Cooperation against the world drug problem: Report of the
Secretary-General (A/67/157). Retrieved October 13, 2012 from
http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/67/157
A/67/157 is the most recent report from the Secretary-General on the world drug problem. The
report is presented annually to the General Assembly as a comprehensive review of the UN
system’s approach to international drug control with special emphasis on the mandates of Member
States and the UNODC. This report also summarizes the most recent findings and
recommendations of the UNODC and other agencies regarding the world drug problem. Delegates
should examine this source to gain an understanding of how the sixty-seventh session of the Third
Committee will approach international drug control.
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II. Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children and Youth, Aging, Disabled Persons,
and the Family
Introduction
The international community did not develop a concern for human rights protection until after viewing the atrocities
committed in World War II. 105 The Charter of the United Nations makes seven references to human rights—in the
Preamble and in Articles 1, 13, 55, 56, 68, and 76. 106 However, the phrase “human rights and fundamental
freedoms” was not defined nor was there any mention of the precise powers or functions of Organization in regards
to the promotion or protection of human rights or fundamental freedoms.
Several UN bodies are responsible for the promotion and realization of human rights. The Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC) established the Commission on Human Rights, to consider and act on complaints that “appear
to reveal a consistent pattern of gross and reliably attested violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.” 107
The CHR drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which the General Assembly adopted in
1948 108 The Commission also drafted the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the
International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), both adopted in 1966.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) leads the UN’s human rights efforts. The High
Commissioner for Human Rights, the principal human rights official of the UN, leads the OHCHR. 109 The OHCHR
supports the other UN human rights mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council (HRC). The Council is made
up of 47 Member States and is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights. Created by the General
Assembly in 2006, the Council replaced the Human Rights Committee. 110
Throughout its development, the UN has recognized the idea that some peoples are more vulnerable than others, and
as such, these groups need special consideration. The perceived need to provide some groups with rights targeted at
their specific situation has led the UN and other organizations to draft specialized treaties and conventions aimed at
specific groups.
Children and Youth
Under the laws of most Member States, a child is considered a minor until they reach the age of majority, and until
then, the child is not afforded the full rights of citizenship. 111 However, the age of majority varies among Member
States. 112 While children may not be afforded the full rights of citizenship offered to adults of their state, the same
rights espoused in the International Bill of Human Rights protect them. 113
Children also have their own specialized rights and treaties. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is
based on the idea that children deserve special recognition of their rights based on their vulnerability in society. 114 In
1919, the International Labour Organization was the first intergovernmental organization to recognize children’s
rights. 115 In 1949, the United Nations recognized children as victims of war in the Geneva Convention, and as a
targeted category in the Geneva Convention Protocols of 1977. 116 The Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959)
105
Green, The United Nations and Human Rights, 1956, p.13.
United Nations General Assembly, Charter of the United Nations, 1945.
107
Maddex, International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedoms, Abuses, and Remedies, 2000, p.47.
108
United Nations General Assembly, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.
109
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Who we are, 2012.
110
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Human Rights Council, 2012.
111
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p.655.
112
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p.655.
113
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p.655.
114
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p.655.
115
Maddex, International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedoms, Abuses, and Remedies, 2000, p.42.
116
Maddex, International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedoms, Abuses, and Remedies, 2000, p.42.
106
not only concentrated on a child’s right to be protected, but also recognized the right of a child to have a name and
nationality. 117
The most important document for children’s rights is the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The
Convention was adopted in 1989 and came into force in 1990; since its entry into force, all but two UN Member
States have ratified the document. 118 The Committee on the Rights of the Child oversees the implementation of the
CRC.
The General Assembly has recognized that people between the ages of 15 and 25 have specific problems related to
their age. A UN report issued in 1989 titled “Human rights and Youth” acknowledged the importance of young
peoples’ rights “to life, to education and to work and their freedoms…” 119 The rights of youth often overlap those of
children and those of adults. For example, youth have the same rights to education and standards of living and the
same prohibitions against forced labor and protection form sexual exploitation as children. 120 Youth also share rights
with adults, such as the right to decent and productive work and the right to participate in civil society. 121 However,
young people are often forced into servitude, prostitution, and forced labor or are abused and exploited. 122
A particular problem that children and youth are facing is being recruited as child soldiers. Thousands of children
and youth are forced to serve in government armed forces and in rebel groups. 123 In armed conflict situations, girls
may also be forced to marry or recruited for sexual purposes. 124 It is vital to address these situations as “children
associated with armed forces or armed groups…[are themselves] abused, exploited, injured, or even killed.” 125
Aging Persons
In some cultures, the elderly are revered and they hold an honored place in society. In these cultures, care for the
elderly is the responsibility of the family. But social changes have brought a shift in this ideology and care for older
persons has become the responsibility of the government, especially in the developed world. 126 The elderly and the
very young are at the most risk of being denied basic resources, especially in societies where there are not enough
resources to go around. 127 These groups suffer the most from general human rights abuses, as they are unable to
demand the rights to which they are entitled. 128
The lengthening of life spans and the decrease in birth rates has caused a shift in the composition of the world’s
population from being predominantly younger people to being predominantly older people. 129 The UN has
recognized several aspects to the aging of the world’s population that will need to be addressed. 130 First, Africa,
Asia, and South America will experience the most rapid aging of their populations. 131 Second, this trend will occur
without well-developed socio-economic, governmental, financial, and educational institutions. 132 Finally, the shift
will occur in a relatively compressed period. 133 The UN is concerned that the human rights, integrity, and
independence of elderly persons may be compromised as countries try to adapt with this shift. 134
117
Maddex, International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedoms, Abuses, and Remedies, 2000, p.42.
Maddex, International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedoms, Abuses, and Remedies, 2000, p.42.
119
Maddex, International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedoms, Abuses, and Remedies, 2000, p.381.
120
United Nations, World Youth Report 2005: Report of the Secretary-General (A/60/61), 2005.
121
United Nations, World Youth Report 2005: Report of the Secretary-General (A/60/61), 2005.
122
United Nations Childrens’ Fund, Protecting Children from Violence, Exploitation, and Abuse, 2011.
123
United Nations Childrens’ Fund, Child Recruitment by Armed Forces or Armed Groups, 2011.
124
United Nations Childrens’ Fund, Child Recruitment by Armed Forces or Armed Groups, 2011.
125
United Nations Childrens’ Fund, Child Recruitment by Armed Forces or Armed Groups, 2011.
126
Maddex, International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedoms, Abuses, and Remedies, 2000, p.7-8.
127
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p. 598.
128
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p. 598.
129
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p. 598.
130
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p. 598.
131
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p. 598.
132
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p. 598.
133
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p. 598.
134
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p. 598.
118
The international community had not taken any affirmative steps in protecting the rights of the aging until 1982
when the World Assembly on Aging passed the International Plan of Action on Aging. 135 The Plan contains sixtytwo recommendations that addressed issues such as employment, housing, and health care and recognized the
elderly population as an active and contributing segment of society. As such, the Plan encourages Member States to
create infrastructure to coordinate and administer policies, programs, and research on aging. 136
The UN Principles for Older Persons were adopted in 1991, enumerating the basic rights of the elderly in areas of
independence, participation in society, care, and dignity—closely paralleling the rights espoused in the International
Covenants. 137 The International Conference on Aging was held the following year and adopted the “Proclamation on
Aging,” reiterating the importance of addressing the needs of older populations in the contexts of the Plan and the
Principles. 138
“[I]n recognition of humanity’s demographic coming of age and the promise it holds for maturing attitudes and
capabilities in social, economic, cultural, and spiritual undertakings, not least for global peace and development in
the next century” and to promote the translation of the Principles into concrete policies, 1999 was designated the
International Year of Older Persons (IYOP) by the General Assembly. 139 The UN Programme on Aging has the
primary responsibility to facilitate and promote the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging from the Second
World Assembly on Aging in 2002. 140
Unlike other population groups, such as women and children, older persons have not been the beneficiaries of a
comprehensive international convention addressing their rights and “no binding supervisory arrangements attach to
the various sets of United Nations principles in this area.” 141
Disabled Persons
Despite the recognition that “[a]ll human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” in the Universal
Declaration on Human Rights, this is not necessarily the case for the more than 650 million disabled persons in the
world. 142 In response, the UN has recognized specific rights to protect disabled persons from isolation and
marginalization in society. 143
The Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons (DRDP) defined the term “disabled person” as “any person
unable to ensure by himself or herself, wholly or partly, the necessities of a normal individual and/or social life, as a
result of a deficiency, either congenital or not, in his or her physical or mental capabilities.” 144 The Declaration on
the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons and the Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons have established the
principle of equality for these groups and added some specific rights, such as the right to medical treatment, as well
as the right to prosthetic and orthotic devices and the right to live with their families. 145 The Declaration on the
Rights on Deaf-Blind Persons, adopted by ECOSOC, provides for universal rights for the hearing and visually
impaired. 146 The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted in 2006 “to promote, protect,
and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights…by persons with disabilities,” and entered into force
with its Optional Protocol in May of 2008. 147 The Convention states that disabled persons include anyone who has
135
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p. 598.
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p. 598.
137
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p. 598.
138
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p. 598-599.
139
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p . 599.
140
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Aging.
141
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p . 600.
142
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p . 685.
United Nations Enable, Factsheet on Persons with Disabilities, p. 1.
143
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p . 685.
144
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p ..685.
145
United Nations General Assembly, Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons, 1975, Articles 6 and 9.
146
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p . 686.
147
United Nations General Assembly, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006, Article 1.
136
“physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their
full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.” 148
In response to the growing recognition of the rights of the disabled, the GA declared 1981 to be the International
Year of Disabled Persons. 149 The World Programme of Action (WPA) concerning Disabled Persons was a major
result of the International Year. 150 The WPA encompasses a strategy to enhance disability prevention, rehabilitation,
and equalization to ensure the full participation of disabled persons in society. 151 The United Nations Decade of
Disabled Persons began in 1983 and put issues of disability on the international agenda. 152 The end of the decade
saw the most important document affecting the rights of disabled person adopted by the UN: the Standard Rules on
the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. 153 This document addresses all aspects of disabled
persons’ lives and suggests measurements that governments should take to ensure full equality to disabled
persons. 154 The United Nations Global Programme on Disability has the mandate to implement the WPA and the
Rules. 155
Despite these actions, disabled persons are often denied education and employment and are subjected to violence. 156
For example, 90% of “children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school” and the “literacy rate
for adults with disabilities is as low as 3%.” 157 A 2004 survey showed that only 35% of “working-age persons with
disabilities” are employed and two-thirds of “unemployed respondents with disabilities said they would like to work
but could not find jobs.” 158 Finally, “for every child killed in warfare, three…acquire a permanent form of
disability.” 159 Persons with disabilities are also “more likely to be victims of violence or rape…and less likely to
obtain police intervention, legal protection, or preventive care.” 160
In 2007, countries spent 1.2 percent of gross national product on disability programs. 161 Many developed countries
have university rehabilitation programs to provide education to the disabled. Mid-level training programs and
regional training service centers are more feasible in developing countries. 162 Many countries have antidiscrimination labor laws to ensure that the disabled have an equal opportunity at employment while others have
quota systems. 163 Reasonable accommodation is required in some countries while it is still voluntary in others. 164
In an effort to increase the amount of health care services received by the disabled, some countries offer cash
transfer programs for households with disabled persons or tax credits to practitioners to help offset costs. 165
Community-based rehabilitation programs (CBRs) are active in 90 countries shift from medically focused programs
to programs that include rehabilitation, poverty reduction, and social inclusion. 166
Family
As acknowledged in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), “[t]he family is the natural
and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.” 167 As such, several
148
United Nations General Assembly, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006, Article 1.
United Nations Enable, World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons.
150
United Nations Enable, World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons.
151
United Nations Enable, World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons.
152
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p .686.
153
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p .686.
154
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p .686.
155
Maddex, International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedoms, Abuses, and Remedies, 2000, p.140.
156
United Nations Enable, Factsheet on Persons with Disabilities, p. 2.
157
United Nations Enable, Factsheet on Persons with Disabilities, p. 2.
158
United Nations Enable, Factsheet on Persons with Disabilities, p. 2.
159
United Nations Enable, Factsheet on Persons with Disabilities, p. 3.
160
United Nations Enable, Factsheet on Persons with Disabilities, p. 3.
161
Globalization 101, World Report on Disability, 2012.
162
Globalization 101, World Report on Disability, 2012.
163
Globalization 101, World Report on Disability, 2012.
164
Globalization 101, World Report on Disability, 2012.
165
Globalization 101, World Report on Disability, 2012.
166
Globalization 101, World Report on Disability, 2012.
167
Maddex, International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedoms, Abuses, and Remedies, 2000, p.140.
149
rights, both public and private, are associated with the concept of the family, such as the right to marry, the rights of
spouses in marriage, and maternity rights. 168 Rights may also include welfare rights such as the right to spousal or
child assistance. 169 Families may also be afforded rights in regards to religion, inheritance of property, child custody,
and even grandparent’s rights. 170
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the first international document to assert the rights of the family. 171
The ICCPR and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights followed nearly twenty years
later with further recognition of the rights afforded to families. 172
The UN Programme on the Family provides services in the areas of family and family policy to the UN General
Assembly, the Commission for Social Development, and ECOSOC. 173 The Programme also promotes the objectives
of the International Year of the Family (IYF), 1994, and supports research, diagnostics, and the dissemination of
information on the family and family issues. 174 The UN has also established a Trust Fund on Family Activities
which provides financial support for activities specific to the family, with an emphasis on those in developing and
least developed countries. 175Grants from the Fund aid actions from government and non-governmental organization.
Furthermore, monies allocated place special emphasis on development initiatives, awareness building, and
training. 176
There are many issues facing the family, including inequality of individual family members, domestic violence, and
poverty. 177 Family members may face discrimination within the family based on gender, age, or the roles that may
be forced upon a person based on gender or age. 178 Policies need to be aimed at fostering equality between the men
and women in a household so that domestic responsibilities and employment opportunities are shared. 179 Inequality
between these family members results in an inability to reconcile work and family responsibilities and hurts the
“intergenerational bonds that sustained [the family] in the past.” 180 Domestic violence can hinder the family as it can
result in increased health care costs and lost wages. 181 The 20th anniversary of the IYF will focus on the role
families play in development. 182 Because of socio-economic changes and demographic shifts, families find it more
and more difficult to fulfill their responsibilities. 183 Many families are poverty stricken and cannot adequately
provide for older and younger family members. 184 It is imperative that Member States provide services to assist the
family in achieving its full potential.
Conclusion
It has been 50 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Throughout this time, the
international community has developed a greater recognition of human rights for all peoples, and especially for
vulnerable groups. In response, the UN has promoted various strategies and programs in order to assist these groups
in becoming functioning members of society. Despite the efforts taken by the United Nations System, children and
youth, aging, disabled persons and the family are still not afforded equal rights or protections in society.
168
Maddex, International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedoms, Abuses, and Remedies, 2000, p.140.
Maddex, International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedoms, Abuses, and Remedies, 2000, p.140.
170
Maddex, International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedoms, Abuses, and Remedies, 2000, p.140.
171
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p .686.
172
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p .686.
173
Lewis, The Human Rights Encyclopedia, 1999, p .686.
174
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations Family Programme.
175
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations Trust Fund on Family Activities: Guidelines, p. 1.
176
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations Trust Fund on Family Activities: Guidelines, p. 1.
177
United Nations Department of Public Information, Basic Facts About the United Nations, 2011, p. 183.
178
United Nations Department of Public Information, Basic Facts About the United Nations, 2011, p. 183.
179
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Twentieth International Year of the Family.
180
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Twentieth International Year of the Family.
181
Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Impact of Domestic Violence, 2012.
182
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Twentieth International Year of the Family.
183
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Twentieth International Year of the Family.
184
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Twentieth International Year of the Family.
169
Delegates should consider what their country has done to promote and protect the rights of each group and what
issues these groups are facing in their respective country. What documents is your country a party to and why? What
documents has your country not ratified and why not? Are there any regional agreements that your country is a party
to that promotes the rights of the specified groups? Has your country taken any additional measures to protect the
rights of these groups?
Annotated Bibliography
Karns, M. and Mingst, K. (2004). International Organizations: The Politics and Processes of Global Governance.
Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner.
Karns and Mingst provide a comprehensive look at the international system and the variety of
organizations that are part of international governance. This text looks at the various actors
within global governance, including the UN, regional actors, non-state actors, and states. It also
examines the need for global governance and uses a variety of case studies to illustrate the need.
Lewis, J. and C. Skutsch, eds. (1999). The Human Rights Encyclopedia. Volume 2. Armonk, N.Y.: Sharpe
Reference.
The Human Rights Encyclopedia gives delegates with a basic knowledge of various topics within
the human rights field. Delegates can use this resource to get brief information on the Conventions
and Committees under discussion in this topic and is a good starting point for research.
Maddex, R. (2000). International Encyclopedia of Human Rights: Freedoms, Abuses, and Remedies. Washington,
D.C.: CQ Press.
This resource goes into more detail of the rights afforded to various groups of people. Delegates
should consult this Encyclopedia for a broad view of the human rights instruments discussed in
this topic. This will solidify a basic understanding before delegates delve into the actual
conventions discussed.
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (2012). World Youth Report 2012. Retrieved September
3, 2012 from http://social.un.org/index/WorldYouthReport/2012.aspx.
The World Youth Reports focus on different areas affecting youth. The 2012 Report focuses on the
transition of young people from school to the work force. Delegates can consult the various
reports to see how youth are affected by various circumstances and what can be done to assist
youth.
United Nations Department of Public Information. (2011). Basic Facts About the United Nations. New York, NY:
United Nations.
This text is an essential starting point for research on the United Nations, its operations, and its
bodies. The book covers the structure and role of the different organs and committees and provides
an overview of the day-to-day functioning of the United Nations. The book also gives brief
introductions to various topics discussed in the UN.
United Nations Development Programme. (2011). Human Development Report 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2012
from: http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2011/.
The United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Reports are published on a
yearly basis. The reports look at development as more than a financial figure and look at other
factors to determine people’s overall, long-term well-being. The 2011 Report focuses on
sustainability and equity, two of the main features in human rights. Delegates should be familiar
with this report as it discusses the expansion of substantive freedoms for all peoples.
United Nations General Assembly. (1989, November 20). Convention on the Rights of the Child. Retrieved
September 3, 2012 from http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm.
This Convention is the main treaty that discusses the international commitments on the promotion
and protection of the rights of the child. Delegates should be familiar with this resource and the
rights afforded by it to children. As a treaty, it has binding force and compliance with the
document is necessary by those who have ratified it.
United Nations General Assembly. (1975). Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons. Retrieved September 3,
2012 from http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/72.htm.
This Convention is the main treaty covering the rights of disabled persons. Delagates should
consult this treaty to understand what rights Member States have afforded to disabled persons in
order to fully address the topic and afford disabled persons the rights the international community
has committed to uphold.
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2012). United Nations Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights. Retrieved August 8, 2012 from:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Pages/WelcomePage.aspx
As the leading human rights body of the UN, the Office for the High Commissioner for Human
Rights’ (OHCHR) mandate is to promote and protect all human rights. The website of the OHCHR
is a good place to familiarize oneself with the body and the work it does. It contains information
on human rights, human rights issues, and human rights bodies.
Ziring, L, R. Riggs, and J. Plano. (2000). The United Nations: International Organizations and World Politics.
Orlando, Florida: Harcourt.
This book is an excellent resource when beginning research. Not only does the book give a broad
overview of the UN and its processes, but it also discusses different topic areas before the UN. Of
particular interest to delegates should be the section on international trade and finance. However,
the entire text will be useful gathering an understanding of the UN and its work.
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United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2012). United Nations Human Rights Council.
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http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Pages/WelcomePage.aspx.
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (2012). United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Retrieved August 8, 2012 from: http://www.unocha.org/.
United Nations Population Fund. (n.d.). Gender Equality. Retrieved October 1, 2012 from
http://www.unfpa.org/gender/violence.htm.
World Health Organization. (2011). World Report on Disability. Retrieved October 1, 2012 from
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2011/9789240685215_eng.pdf.
Ziring, L, R. Riggs, and J. Plano. (2000). The United Nations: International Organizations and World Politics.
Orlando, FL: Harcourt.
III. From the Global Financial Crisis to the Global Social Crisis: Assessing the Social
Impact of the Global Financial Crisis
“If we do not take measures, there is a risk of a serious human and social crisis with very serious political
implications”. 185
Origins of the Financial Crisis
The global financial crisis was the result of multiple factors including the size, interconnectedness, and regulatory
requirements of banks. Banks that were seen as “too big to fail” took risks with lending practices, including lending
to borrowers who had an increased risk of default. 186 The lack of regulatory requirements allowed investment banks
to get involved in the lending process without cash assets to back up these investments. 187 When investors sought
their money back, these banks collapsed; the interconnectedness of the international economy resulted in banks
around the world being affected. 188
The global financial crisis began with the housing market crash in the United States in 2006. 189 In the early 2000s,
real estate was a booming industry and the perception that prices would only go up allowed lenders and financial
institutions to take greater risks when lending money to would-be homeowners. 190
A large part of the crisis was due to “securitization” of mortgage backed securities (MBSs). 191 MBSs “are debt
obligations that represent claims to the cash flows from pools of mortgage loans.” 192 During the securitization of
MBSs, banks would group multiple loans, risky and non-risky, into one sellable asset—a collateralized debt
obligation (CDO). 193 Through this process, banks could unload risky loans while the buyer received regular
payments from all the acquired mortgages. 194 Because the CDOs were a mix of risky and non-risky loans, banks
assumed that the risk was evenly spread; even if one loan went bankrupt, most of the other loans would be good
investments. 195 Banks began to borrow “more money to lend out so they could create more securitization” and sell
off risky mortgages to investments banks who were unfamiliar with mortgages and lacked the proper controls and
management to protect against risk. 196
As banks ran out of people to loan to, they turned to the “subprime”— a class of borrowers that includes those with
negative credit histories and a reduced ability to repay loans. 197 Americans borrowed beyond their means for home
mortgages due to low interest rates between 2001 and 2004. 198 During this time, banks were taking on riskier
investments and exposing themselves to more problems. 199 After June 2004, interest rates began to rise resulting in
unmanageable mortgage payments. 200 Between 2005 and 2007, foreclosures increased; the result led to “crashing
valuations of mortgage-based assets held by U.S. financial institutions.” 201
185
BBC News, World Bank Warns of Social Unrest, 2009.
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
187
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
188
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
189
Shiller, The Subprime Solution: How Today’s Global Financial Crisis Happened and What to Do about It, 2008, p. 1.
190
Shiller, The Subprime Solution: How Today’s Global Financial Crisis Happened and What to Do about It, 2008, p. 29-31.
191
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
192
United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Mortgage-Backed Securities, 2010.
193
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.; Riddix, Down the Rabbit Hold: Deciphering CDOs, 2010.
194
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
195
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
196
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
197
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, ComE-IN Background Definitions, 2007.
198
Desai, From Financial Crisis to Global Recovery, p. 1.
199
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
200
Desai, From Financial Crisis to Global Recovery, p. 1.
201
Desai, From Financial Crisis to Global Recovery, p. 1.
186
As home values came down, confidence in the financial market began to suffer. 202 As lending slowed and assets
plummeted, investors sought their investments back. 203 However, some investment banks did not carry high enough
deposits to back their investments and these banks collapsed quickly. 204 Those banks that did have capital reserves
ran out and had to turn to the federal government for a bailout. 205 The bailout allowed banks to continue to lose
money without completely faltering. 206 As they tried to rebuild their capital, banks were actually pulling money out
of the economy. 207 Additionally, borrowers found it harder to get loans from banks, as banks were nervous about
lending. 208 This cycle resulted in less money in the economy, creating a financial crisis. 209
In the period leading up to the financial crisis, credit default swaps (CDSs) became increasingly popular. 210 CDSs
are “insurance-like contracts that promise to cover losses on certain securities in the event of a default.” 211 The CDS
buyer pays a premium over a period of time knowing that losses will be covered in the event of a default. 212
However, the CDS market is not regulated and contracts could be traded to another investor without ensuring that
the new investor has the resources to cover losses in the event of a default. 213 While the economy was growing,
CDSs appeared to be a good investment because CDOs were stable and rarely defaulted; banks saw the premiums
paid for a CDS as a way to take in extra money. 214 When the “economy soured and the subprime credit crunch
began” the number of loans that defaulted rose quickly. 215 Those who bought CDSs attempted to cash in on the
CDS—however, because of the lack regulation, many CDS investors did not have resources to cover the default. 216
As a result, the “insurance disappears or becomes too costly” and lenders reduce the amount of money they are
lending and the amount of risk they are willing to take when issuing a loan. 217
While the crisis began in the United States, financial markets across the world were affected. 218 Foreign banks had
bought debt from the United States and when mortgages were defaulted on, banks around the world lost money. 219
Banks around the world lent money to each other, so when banks began to lose money, they were more reluctant to
lend money to each other. 220 When banks across the world stopped lending to each other, it became difficult for
consumers across the world to borrow money from banks. 221 Additionally, as the U.S. entered recession, and
demand for imports fell resulting in decreased exports for other countries. 222 Because of the interconnectedness
between economies that has resulted from globalization, the U.S. financial crisis crossed over to other nations as
well, resulting in lower imports and exports across the globe. 223
202
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
204
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
205
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
206
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
207
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
208
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
209
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
210
Morrissey, Credit Default Swaps: The Next Crisis?, 2008.
211
Morrissey, Credit Default Swaps: The Next Crisis?, 2008.
212
Morrissey, Credit Default Swaps: The Next Crisis?, 2008.
213
Morrissey, Credit Default Swaps: The Next Crisis?, 2008.
214
Morrissey, Credit Default Swaps: The Next Crisis?, 2008.
215
Morrissey, Credit Default Swaps: The Next Crisis?, 2008.
216
Morrissey, Credit Default Swaps: The Next Crisis?, 2008.
217
Morrissey, Credit Default Swaps: The Next Crisis?, 2008.
218
Pettinger, How the Crisis Spread, 2009.
219
Pettinger, How the Crisis Spread, 2009.
220
Pettinger, How the Crisis Spread, 2009
221
Pettinger, How the Crisis Spread, 2009.
222
Pettinger, How the Crisis Spread, 2009.
223
Pettinger, How the Crisis Spread, 2009.
203
The Social Impact
From 2001 to 2004, the years just before the financial crisis, financial aid from the world’s wealthiest countries to
the world’s poorest continued to increase. 224 Fearing that the financial crisis would have a negative impact on aid,
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) urged donor nations to not reduce aid when
it was needed the most. 225 In 2009, OECD statistics show that aid rose by 0.7%. 226 While 2010 statistics show a 6.5
percent increase in official development assistance, the total amount of assistance was only 0.32 percent of the
combined gross national income of donor countries. 227 However, aid was reduced in 2011 by almost 3%. 228
Another impact that the financial crisis has is on human development. 229 The reduction in public resources threatens
the “roll out of existing social protection commitments.” 230 Additionally, lower incomes are associated with “lower
consumption of quality food, medicine and public social services.” 231 In the midst of the financial crisis, about 43
percent of surveyed households in Armenia reported a reduction in food consumption, medicine, or visits to health
services. 232 In Turkey, surveys showed that 53 percent of households reported reduced food consumption while 21
percent reported a reduction in visits to health services. 233 Increased poverty results in children being kept home
from schooling which undermines the child’s chances of contributing to economic growth in the future. 234 A lack of
education results in lower income potential and results in these children being unable to move out of poverty in the
future. 235
The economic crisis is especially difficult on women as women are likely to be unemployed, have lower
unemployment and social security benefits, and have unequal access to financial resources. 236 While the
unemployment rate for men slowed, the unemployment rate for women has continued to rise. 237 Women in the
developing world are less able to cope with the financial crisis as they already have a weaker social and economic
position than men. 238 Women may “work longer hours and take extra forms of employment while maintaining
primary household responsibilities.” 239
Another issue created is that of people engaging in risky or illegal behaviors in an attempt to cope with the financial
crisis. For example, “evidence from Zambia’s copper belt…suggests an increase in commercial sex work” as people
struggle to find ways to make ends meet. 240 Other workers may be working more hours, which results in less time at
home raising and feeding children, caring for the sick, or tending to one’s own physical wellbeing. 241
The labor market is also affected as reduced demand results in lower production which in turn leads to job losses
and higher unemployment. 242 This is especially true for those workers in small and medium enterprises (SMEs); in
the developing world, SMEs account for nearly two-thirds of employment. 243 Export, construction, and
224
Shah, Foreign Aid for Development Assistance, 2012.
Shah, Foreign Aid for Development Assistance, 2012.
226
Shah, Foreign Aid for Development Assistance, 2012.
227
Shah, Foreign Aid for Development Assistance, 2012.
228
Shah, Foreign Aid for Development Assistance, 2012.
229
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 13.
230
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 1.
231
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 13.
232
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 29.
233
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 29.
234
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 2.
235
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 2.
236
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Gender Perspectives.
237
Baroni, Gender Equality and the Financial Crisis, 2010.
238
Baroni, Gender Equality and the Financial Crisis, 2010.
239
Baroni, Gender Equality and the Financial Crisis, 2010.
240
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 2.
241
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 2.
242
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 14.
243
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 14.
225
manufacturing industries have been the hardest hit. 244 In 2008, India lost over 500,000 jobs in export while
Cambodia lost 30,000 or about 10 percent of the labor force. 245 The same year, South Africa lost 10 percent of its
workforce in mining while Zambia lost 27 percent in the same industry. 246 While unemployment decreased from
2004 to 2008, 2009 showed an average increase of .8 percent in unemployment rates. 247
Past financial crises have resulted in reduced public sector social expenditures. 248 When countries need to close the
budget gap while facing lower tax revenues and increased debt, cuts in social expenditures are common. 249 As
governments cut spending, social programs that already lack adequate funding are hit even more. 250 The current
financial crisis resulted in mixed effects on public spending in the social sector. 251 In Brazil, Chile, and Peru,
however, spending did not change, while in Mexico, Romania, Latvia, and Lithuania social spending increased. 252
Spending on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has slowed. 253 Two-thirds of countries were cut budget
allocations in at least one of the priority areas of education, health, agriculture, and social protection. 254 Leaders
from the Group of 20 (G20) pledged to increase support “to help poor countries combat the crisis and reach the
MDGs, but they have not met those promises. 255 Despite increases in grants, the extra $4.1 billion only accounts for
13 percent of the “fiscal hole created by the crisis.” 256 Because of this, 75 percent of poor countries were forced to
take out loans in 2009 and 50 percent had to in 2010. 257 Fears of unsustainable debt levels arising from these loans,
many countries are cutting spending to help manage the debt level. 258
Additionally, trends in donor states “have been to reduce aid pledges, concentrate aid on fewer countries, and focus
on only a few of the MDGs.” 259 The IMF is also reverting to a tighter fiscal position and undoing stimulus that was
introduced during the crisis. 260
Possible Solutions
The combined effects of poverty and weak social protection response made a perfect storm for growing poverty and
inequality, hindering progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. 261 Resources to address the impacts of
the crisis are scarce. Because countries create their budget a year in advance, budgets were based on gains made in
the years before the crisis hit. 262 Therefore, as countries find ways to deal with the crisis, they must also be
cognizant of decreased revenues and budget deficits. 263
It is essential that focus be given to the social sector to protect human capital during the economic downturn 264.
Rising food and fuel prices cause people to cut back elsewhere, such as health care expenditures. 265 “Healthy human
capital is the foundation of economic productivity” and can quicken the recovery process. 266
244
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 30.
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 30.
246
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 30.
247
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 30.
248
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 15.
249
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 15-16.
250
Shah, Global Financial Crisis, 2010.
251
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 35.
252
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 35.
253
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 4.
254
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 4.
255
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 4.
256
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 4.
257
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 4.
258
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 4-5.
259
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 5.
260
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 5.
261
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 1.
262
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 3.
263
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 3.
264
World Health Organization, Impact of the Global Financial And Economic Crisis on Health, 2008.
265
World Health Organization, Impact of the Global Financial And Economic Crisis on Health, 2008.
245
The lack of resource availability will also prevent the extension of social programs to those affected by the crisis. 267
In a study of 10 countries, only two reported “significant expansion” in coverage, however, “much of this expansion
was planned before the onset of the financial crisis (rather than in response to it).” 268 A few countries have also
extended pre-existing programs or introduced new programs on a lesser scale than originally intended. 269 Strategies
countries have used include: food subsidies and rationing, food distributions, cash transfers, educational subsidies,
and public works programs. 270
Studies have shown that “investing in women and girls has a multiplier effect on productivity, efficiency, and
sustained economic growth.” 271 Policies should be created that account for the different needs of each gender and do
not undermine gender equality. 272 Government approaches to addressing the crisis are not gender sensitive as most
investment occurs in construction, transport, and other trades that are traditionally male dominated. 273 Being aware
of this, governments should ensure equitable distribution of investment to include health care, child care, textiles,
and other industries that heavily employ women. 274
In an effort to counter the unemployment increase, some countries, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and
Chile offered hiring subsidies. 275 Germany reduced working hours to prevent the need to lay off workers while “the
US, Brazil, and OECD countries extended unemployment benefits.” 276
Stronger regulatory systems may be needed to ensure that a similar crisis does not happen in the future. 277
Governments should be prepared to rebalance and prioritize spending to prevent losses to human development and
expand existing programs to protect the most vulnerable. 278 Protections must be improved and coverage must be
expanded to more people. 279 As discussed early, the lack of regulation of CDSs resulted in investors taking over the
responsibility of a CDS without having the resources to cover a potential default. 280 Implementing regulations may
be able to prevent these investors from purchasing CDSs that they are unable to cover in the future. 281
Because there is greater need and fewer resources to go around, governments must be efficient when allocating
resources. 282 Rather than increase social protections, some countries are prioritizing indirect spending to stimulate
the economy through stimulus packages and growth-oriented initiatives. 283 For example, Indonesia increased
infrastructure investment in an effort to increase employment. 284 Instead of supplying help directly to those who
need it, citizens would have to gain employment in one of these positions first, which may require relocation;
additionally, those who need help the most may not be employable in these positions for varies reasons including
disabilities or lack of job skills for the position. 285 However, a truly effective response needs to create immediate and
lasting relief. Only by addressing the immediate and long-term needs of people will governments be able to reverse
the effects that the financial crisis has had on the social sector.
266
World Health Organization, Impact of the Global Financial And Economic Crisis on Health, 2008.
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 3.
268
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 3.
269
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 3.
270
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 3.
271
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Gender Perspectives.
272
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Gender Perspectives.
273
Baroni, Gender Equality and the Financial Crisis, 2010.
274
Baroni, Gender Equality and the Financial Crisis, 2010.
275
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 33.
276
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 33.
277
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 44.
278
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 45.
279
Calvo, The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors, 2010, p. 45.
280
Morrissey, Credit Default Swaps: The Next Crisis?, 2008.
281
Morrissey, Credit Default Swaps: The Next Crisis?, 2008.
282
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 4.
283
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 3-4.
284
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 4.
285
Overseas Development Institute, The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection, 2009, p. 4.
267
To combat the effects of the financial crisis on the social sector, governments could increase spending on programs
aimed at achieving the MDGs. 286Another suggestion that has been made is to increase property and income taxes to
fill the revenue hole. 287 The solution is thought to hit poor people the least as they lack income or property. 288
Internationally, donor states must continue to honor their commitments to development assistance. Continuing to
supply developing and least developed countries with aid will help mitigate the effects of the financial crisis in these
vulnerable Member States. Additionally, greater representation could be given to developing Member States on the
governance of the World Bank and the IMF. The European Union has full membership of the G20 and that
membership could be extended to the African Union. 289 While the boards of the Bank and the Fund were overhauled
in 2007, developing countries increased their share of votes by only 2%. 290 Additional funding must be allocated to
help Member States progress towards MDG targets. 291 The IMF can work together with countries receiving IMF
programming to not cut back on spending. 292 Grants could be provided in areas that are especially hard hit by the
financial crisis. 293
Conclusion
The credit crisis has had a far-reaching impact on the global economy, but social sector has also been impacted. Cuts
in development aid have resulted in lower financial resources available to those countries that rely on aid. Countries
have cut spending on social programs which has affected health care and education. Decreases in the consumption
of goods and services have reduced demand in the labor market costing jobs around the world.
Not only does the international community need to address the problems caused by the financial crisis but steps
must also be taken to prevent another crisis from occurring in the future. Focus on the provision of social protections
can assist those hardest hit by the crisis by allowing them to access basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing.
Member States should also examine ways to prevent another crisis from occurring by examining ways in which
regulation could afford more protection in the lending market.
To address the issue delegates should consider how hard and in what ways the financial crisis has impacted their
country. Are there programs that are being cut because of a lack of funding? What social sectors have been hardest
hit? Can your country offer assistance to other countries, whether financial or social? What solutions would most
help your country?
286
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 6.
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 6.
288
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 6.
289
Oxfam International, If Not Now, When? Three actions the G20 must take now to protect the world’s poor from the economic
crisis and build a new political and economic governance system, 2008, p. 8.
290
Oxfam International, If Not Now, When? Three actions the G20 must take now to protect the world’s poor from the economic
crisis and build a new political and economic governance system, 2008, p. 7.
291
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 5.
292
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 5.
293
Kyrili, The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on the Budgets of Low-Income Countries, 2010, p. 5.
287
Annotated Bibliography
Calvo, S. (2010). The Global Financial Crisis of 2008-10: A View from the Social Sectors. Retrieved August 26,
2012 from http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2010/papers/HDRP_2010_18.pdf.
This paper gives an in depth look at the effect the financial crisis has had on human development.
The author discusses the current crisis in relation to the financial crisis of the 1990s to show what
lessons have been learned from previous crises. She then discusses how the crisis spread around
the world and links the financial crisis to the social crisis. After covering the impacts the crisis has
had, or not had in some cases, on human development, the author makes suggestions for lessening
the effects of any future financial crises.
Cox, J., J. Faucette, and C.V. Lickstein. (2010). Why Did the Credit Crisis Spread to Global Markets? Retrieved
August 25, 2012 from http://blogs.law.uiowa.edu/ebook/sites/default/files/Part_5_2.pdf.
Delegates should consult this resource to gain a greater knowledge of the financial crisis. This
resource is an in depth look at the United States mortgage market and how securitization led to the
risky investments and the financial crisis. For those who are unfamiliar with the financial crisis
and how it began, this paper will provide that foundation.
Ferreira, F. and N. Schady. (2009). Social Consequences of the Global Financial Crisis in Latin America: Some
Preliminary, and Surprisingly Optimistic, Conjectures. Retrieved August 8, 2012 from:
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/LACEXT/Resources/2585531241205008835/CrisisBrief_PovertyandSocialPolicy.pdf.
This paper discusses the social consequences of the economic crisis in Latin America. The paper
argues that the impact will not been as severe as one would expect. The authors also argue that
there may be other factors that have protected Latin America that are not present around the
world. Delegates should consult this paper to have a well-rounded view of the impacts of the
economic crisis as a full assessment may show that the crisis has not negatively affected social
programs.
International Council on Human Rights Policy. (2010). Human Rights in the Global Economy. Retrieved August 8,
2012 from: http://www.ichrp.org/files/documents/185/210_human_rights_global_economy_colloquium_report.pdf.
The report from the Colloquium on Human Rights in the Global Economy summarizes similarities
and differences between human rights and economics, discusses global economic governance, and
suggests ways that human rights research and advocacy may influence economic policy-making.
This is a good source for delegates to review to understand the interplay between human rights
and the economy.
Overseas Development Institute. (2009). The Global Financial Crisis: Poverty and Social Protection. Retrieved
August 8, 2012 from: http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/docs/4285.pdf.
This brief paper is an excellent resource for delegates just starting their research to gain a sense
of the impact of the economic crisis. The paper discuss the “poverty impact” of the crisis
including effects on employment, prices, private and public transfers, and assets and goods and
services. Included in the discussion is the roles of social protections to mitigate the effects of
poverty.
Oxfam International. (2008). If Not Now, When? Three actions the G20 must take now to protect the world’s poor
from the economic crisis and build a new political and economic governance system. Retrieved August 8, 2012
from: http://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/bn-if-not-now-when-0811%20.pdf.
Oxfam’s briefing note proposes actions that the global community can take to ensure that the
world’s poor do not bear the burden of the financial crisis. This note will assist delegates in
generating solutions to the problem to allow the international community to rebuild after financial
collapse. Oxfam’s proposals are not just reactive; proposals also include mechanisms to assist in
stabilizing the economy in order to prevent another collapse.
Shah, A. (2010). Global Financial Crisis. Retrieved August 25, 2012 from
http://www.globalissues.org/article/768/global-financial-crisis.
This article breaks down the crisis by explaining how it happened, the effect the crisis had on
wealthy countries, and the effect the crisis had on the developing world. The article continues by
placing the crisis in context of poverty, food supplies, human rights, financing for development,
and debt. Finally, the article concludes with proposed reforms of the world’s financial system.
Delegates should consult this article for a thorough explaination of the crisis that is written
without technical economic terms.
Shah, A. (2012). Foreign Aid for Development Assistance. Retrieved August 26, 2012 from
http://www.globalissues.org/article/35/foreign-aid-developmentassistance#SomedonatemanydollarsbutarelowonGNIpercent.
Shah begins this article with a discussion of foreign aid and the international commitments donor
states have already agreed upon. While Member States have not always met their goals, the
article shows that aid levels increased in the years leading to the financial crisis and then dropped
as the effects of the crisis were felt across the world. This article will be useful to delegates to get
an understanding of the economic side of the topic so that they may fully understand how the
financial crisis resulted in a social crisis.
United Nations Development Programme. (2011). Human Development Report 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2012
from: http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2011/.
The United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Reports are published on a
yearly basis. The reports look at development as more than a financial figure and look at other
factors to determine people’s overall, long-term well-being. The 2011 Report focuses on
sustainability and equity, two of the main features in human rights. Delegates should be familiar
with this report as it discusses the expansion of substantive freedoms for all peoples.
Ziring, L, R. Riggs, and J. Plano. (2000). The United Nations: International Organizations and World Politics.
Orlando, FL: Harcourt.
This book is an excellent resource when beginning research. Not only does the book give a broad
overview of the UN and its processes, but it also discusses different topic areas before the UN. Of
particular interest to delegates should be the section on international trade and finance. However,
the entire text will be useful gathering an understanding of the UN and its work.
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Rules of Procedure
General Assembly Fourth Committee (GA 4th)
Introduction
1. These rules shall be the only rules which apply to the General Assembly Fourth Committee (hereinafter
referred to as “the Committee”) and shall be considered adopted by the Committee prior to its first meeting.
2. For purposes of these rules, the Plenary Director, the Assistant Director(s), the Under-Secretaries-General,
and the Assistant Secretaries-General, are designates and agents of the Secretary-General and DirectorGeneral, and are collectively referred to as the “Secretariat.”
3. Interpretation of the rules shall be reserved exclusively to the Director-General or her or his designate. Such
interpretation shall be in accordance with the philosophy and principles of the National Model United
Nations and in furtherance of the educational mission of that organization.
4. For the purposes of these rules, “President” shall refer to the chairperson or acting chairperson of the
Committee, which can be any Member of the Secretariat or their designate.
I. SESSIONS
Rule 1 - Dates of convening and adjournment
The Committee shall meet every year in regular session, commencing and closing on the dates designated by the
Secretary-General.
Rule 2 - Place of sessions
The Committee shall meet at a location designated by the Secretary-General.
II. AGENDA
Rule 3 - Provisional agenda
The provisional agenda shall be drawn up by the Director-General and communicated to the Members of the
Committee at least sixty days before the opening of the session.
Rule 4 - Adoption of the agenda
The agenda provided by the Director-General shall be considered adopted as of the beginning of the session. The
order of the agenda items shall be determined by a majority vote of those present and voting.
The vote described in this rule is a procedural vote and, as such, observers are permitted to cast a vote. For
purposes of this rule, those present and voting means those Member States and observers, in attendance at the
meeting during which this motion comes to a vote. Should the Committee not reach a decision by conclusion of the
first night’s meeting, the agenda will be automatically set in the order in which it was first communicated.
Rule 5 - Revision of the agenda
During a session, the Committee may revise the agenda by adding, deleting, deferring or amending items. Only
important and urgent items shall be added to the agenda during a session. Debate on the inclusion of an item in the
agenda shall be limited to three speakers in favor of, and three against, the inclusion. Additional items of an
important and urgent character, proposed for inclusion in the agenda less than thirty days before the opening of a
session, may be placed on the agenda if the Committee so decides by a two-thirds majority of the members present
and voting. No additional item may, unless the Committee decides otherwise by a two-thirds majority of the
members present and voting, be considered until a committee has reported on the question concerned.
For purposes of this rule, the determination of an item of an important and urgent character is subject to the
discretion of the Director-General, or his or her designate, and any such determination is final. If an item is
determined to be of such a character, then it requires a two-thirds vote of the Committee to be placed on the agenda.
The votes described in this rule are substantive votes, and, as such, observers are not permitted to cast a vote. For
purposes of this rule, ―the members present and voting ― means members (not including observers) in attendance
at the session during which this motion comes to vote.
Rule 6 - Explanatory memorandum
Any item proposed for inclusion in the agenda shall be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum and, if
possible, by basic documents.
III. SECRETARIAT
Rule 7 - Duties of the Secretary-General
1. The Secretary-General or her/his designate shall act in this capacity in all meetings of the Committee.
2. The Secretary-General, in cooperation with the Director-General, shall provide and direct the staff
required by the Committee and be responsible for all the arrangements that may be necessary for its
meetings.
Rule 8 - Duties of the Secretariat
The Secretariat shall receive, print, and distribute documents, reports, and resolutions of the Committee, and shall
distribute documents of the Committee to the Members, and generally perform all other work which the Committee
may require.
Rule 9 - Statements by the Secretariat
The Secretary-General, or her/his representative, may make oral as well as written statements to the Committee
concerning any question under consideration.
Rule 10 - Selection of the President
The Secretary-General or her/his designate shall appoint, from applications received by the Secretariat, a President
who shall hold office and, inter alia, chair the Committee for the duration of the session, unless otherwise decided
by the Secretary-General.
Rule 11 - Replacement of the President
If the President is unable to perform her/his functions, a new President shall be appointed for the unexpired term at
the discretion of the Secretary-General.
IV. LANGUAGE
Rule 12 - Official and working language
English shall be the official and working language of the Committee.
Rule 13 - Interpretation (oral) or translation (written)
Any representative wishing to address any body or submit a document in a language other than English shall
provide interpretation or translation into English.
This rule does not affect the total speaking time allotted to those representatives wishing to address the body in a
language other than English. As such, both the speech and the interpretation must be within the set time limit.
V. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
Rule 14 – Quorum
The President may declare a meeting open and permit debate to proceed when representatives of at least one third of
the members of the Committee are present. The presence of representatives of a majority of the members of the
Committee shall be required for any decision to be taken.
For purposes of this rule, members of the Committee means the total number of members (not including observers)
in attendance at the first night’s meeting.
Rule 15 - General powers of the President
In addition to exercising the powers conferred upon him or her elsewhere by these rules, the President shall declare
the opening and closing of each meeting of the Committee, direct the discussions, ensure observance of these rules,
accord the right to speak, put questions to the vote and announce decisions. The President, subject to these rules,
shall have complete control of the proceedings of the Committee and over the maintenance of order at its meetings.
He or she shall rule on points of order. He or she may propose to the Committee the closure of the list of speakers, a
limitation on the time to be allowed to speakers and on the number of times the representative of each member may
speak on an item, the adjournment or closure of the debate, and the suspension or adjournment of a meeting.
Included in these enumerated powers is the President’s power to assign speaking times for all speeches incidental to
motions and amendment. Further, the President is to use her/his discretion, upon the advice and at the consent of
the Secretariat, to determine whether to entertain a particular motion based on the philosophy and principles of the
NMUN. Such discretion should be used on a limited basis and only under circumstances where it is necessary to
advance the educational mission of the Conference and is limited to entertaining motions.
Rule 16 – Authority of the Committee
The President, in the exercise of her or his functions, remains under the authority of the Committee.
Rule 17 – Voting rights on procedural matters
Unless otherwise stated, all votes pertaining to the conduct of business shall require a majority of the members
present and voting in order to pass.
For purposes of this rule, the members present and voting mean those members (including observers) in attendance
at the meeting during which this rule is applied. Note that observers may vote on all procedural votes; they may,
however, not vote on substantive matters (see Chapter VI). There is no possibility to abstain on procedural votes.
Rule 18 - Points of order
During the discussion of any matter, a representative may rise to a point of order, and the point of order shall be
immediately decided by the President in accordance with the rules of procedure. A representative may appeal
against the ruling of the President. The appeal shall be immediately put to the vote, and the President's ruling shall
stand unless overruled by a majority of the members present and voting. A representative rising to a point of order
may not speak on the substance of the matter under discussion.
Such points of order should not under any circumstances interrupt the speech of a fellow representative. They
should be used exclusively to correct an error in procedure. Any questions on order arising during a speech made
by a representative should be raised at the conclusion of the speech, or can be addressed by the President, sua
sponte, during the speech. For purposes of this rule, the members present and voting mean those members
(including observers) in attendance at the meeting during which this motion comes to vote.
Rule 19 - Speeches
No representative may address the Committee without having previously obtained the permission of the President.
The President shall call upon speakers in the order in which they signify their desire to speak. The President may
call a speaker to order if his remarks are not relevant to the subject under discussion.
In line with the philosophy and principles of the NMUN, in furtherance of its educational mission, and for the
purpose of facilitating debate, the Secretariat will set a time limit for all speeches which may be amended by the
President at his/her discretion. Consequently, motions to alter the speaker’s time will not be entertained by the
President.
Rule 20 - Closing of list of speakers
Members may only be on the list of speakers once but may be added again after having spoken. During the course of
a debate, the President may announce the list of speakers and, with the consent of the Committee, declare the list
closed. When there are no more speakers, the President shall declare the debate closed. Such closure shall have the
same effect as closure by decision of the Committee.
The decision to announce the list of speakers is within the discretion of the President and should not be the subject
of a motion by the Committee. A motion to close the speakers list is within the purview of the Committee and the
President should not act on her/his own motion.
Rule 21 - Right of reply
If a remark impugns the integrity of a representative’s State, the President may permit that representative to exercise
her/his right of reply following the conclusion of the controversial speech, and shall determine an appropriate time
limit for the reply. No ruling on this question shall be subject to appeal.
For purposes of this rule, a remark that impugns the integrity of a representative’s State is one directed at the
governing authority of that State and/or one that puts into question that State’s sovereignty or a portion thereof. All
interventions in the exercise of the right of reply shall be addressed in writing to the Secretariat and shall not be
raised as a point of order or motion. The reply shall be read to the Committee by the representative only upon
approval of the Secretariat, and in no case after voting has concluded on all matters relating to the agenda topic,
during the discussion of which, the right arose.
Rule 22 - Suspension of the meeting
During the discussion of any matter, a representative may move the suspension of the meeting, specifying a time for
reconvening. Such motions shall not be debated but shall be put to a vote immediately, requiring the support of a
majority of the members present and voting to pass.
Rule 23 - Adjournment of the meeting
During the discussion of any matter, a representative may move to the adjournment of the meeting. Such motions
shall not be debated but shall be put to the vote immediately, requiring the support of a majority of the members
present and voting to pass. After adjournment, the Committee shall reconvene at its next regularly scheduled
meeting time.
As this motion, if successful, would end the meeting until the Committee’s next regularly scheduled session the
following year, and in accordance with the philosophy and principles of the NMUN and in furtherance of its
educational mission, the President will not entertain such a motion until the end of the last meeting of the
Committee.
Rule 24 - Adjournment of debate
During the discussion of any matter, a representative may move the adjournment of the debate on the item under
discussion. Two representatives may speak in favor of, and two against, the motion, after which the motion shall be
immediately put to the vote. The President may limit the time to be allowed to speakers under this rule.
Rule 25 - Closure of debate
A representative may at any time move the closure of debate on the item under discussion, whether or not any other
representative has signified her/his wish to speak. Permission to speak on the motion shall be accorded only to two
representatives opposing the closure, after which the motion shall be put to the vote immediately. Closure of debate
shall require a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. If the Committee favors the closure of debate,
the Committee shall immediately move to vote on all proposals introduced under that agenda item.
Rule 26 - Order of motions
Subject to rule 18, the motions indicated below shall have precedence in the following order over all proposals or
other motions before the meeting:
a) To suspend the meeting;
b) To adjourn the meeting;
c) To adjourn the debate on the item under discussion;
d) To close the debate on the item under discussion.
Rule 27 - Proposals and amendments
Proposals and amendments shall normally be submitted in writing to the Secretariat. Any proposal or amendment
that relates to the substance of any matter under discussion shall require the signature of twenty percent of the
members of the Committee [sponsors]. The Secretariat may, at its discretion, approve the proposal or amendment for
circulation among the delegations. As a general rule, no proposal shall be put to the vote at any meeting of the
Committee unless copies of it have been circulated to all delegations. The President may, however, permit the
discussion and consideration of amendments or of motions as to procedure, even though such amendments and
motions have not been circulated. If the sponsors agree to the adoption of a proposed amendment, the proposal shall
be modified accordingly and no vote shall be taken on the proposed amendment. A document modified in this
manner shall be considered as the proposal pending before the Committee for all purposes, including subsequent
amendments.
For purposes of this rule, all proposals shall be in the form of working papers prior to their approval by the
Secretariat. Working papers will not be copied, or in any other way distributed, to the Committee by the Secretariat.
The distribution of such working papers is solely the responsibility of the sponsors of the working papers. Along
these lines, and in furtherance of the philosophy and principles of the NMUN and for the purpose of advancing its
educational mission, representatives should not directly refer to the substance of a working paper that has not yet
been accepted as a draft resolution during formal speeches. After approval of a working paper, the proposal
becomes a draft resolution and will be copied by the Secretariat for distribution to the Committee. These draft
resolutions are the collective property of the Committee and, as such, the names of the original sponsors will be
removed. The copying and distribution of amendments is at the discretion of the Secretariat, but the substance of all
such amendments will be made available to all representatives in some form.
Rule 28 - Withdrawal of motions
A motion may be withdrawn by its proposer at any time before voting has commenced, provided that the motion has
not been amended. A motion thus withdrawn may be reintroduced by any member.
Rule 29 - Reconsideration of a topic
When a topic has been adjourned, it may not be reconsidered at the same session unless the Committee, by a twothirds majority of those present and voting, so decides. Reconsideration can only be moved by a representative who
voted on the prevailing side of the original motion to adjourn. Permission to speak on a motion to reconsider shall be
accorded only to two speakers opposing the motion, after which it shall be put to the vote immediately.
VI. VOTING
Rule 30 - Voting rights
Each member of the Committee shall have one vote.
This rule applies to substantive voting on amendments, draft resolutions, and portions of draft resolutions divided
out by motion. As such, all references to member(s) do not include observers, who are not permitted to cast votes on
substantive matters.
Rule 31 - Request for a vote
A proposal or motion before the Committee for decision shall be voted upon if any member so requests. Where no
member requests a vote, the Committee may adopt proposals or motions without a vote.
For purposes of this rule, proposal means any draft resolution, an amendment thereto, or a portion of a draft
resolution divided out by motion. Just prior to a vote on a particular proposal or motion, the President may ask if
there are any objections to passing the proposal or motion by acclamation, or a member may move to accept the
proposal or motion by acclamation. If there are no objections to the proposal or motion, then it is adopted without a
vote.
Rule 32 - Majority required
1. Unless specified otherwise in these rules, decisions of the Committee shall be made by a majority of the
members present and voting.
2. For the purpose of tabulation, the phrase “members present and voting” means members casting an
affirmative or negative vote. Members which abstain from voting are considered as not voting.
All members declaring their representative States as “present and voting” during the attendance roll call for the
meeting during which the substantive voting occurs, must cast an affirmative or negative vote, and cannot abstain
on substantive votes.
Rule 33 - Method of voting
1.
The Committee shall normally vote by a show of placards, except that a representative may request a roll
call, which shall be taken in the English alphabetical order of the names of the members, beginning with
the member whose name is randomly selected by the President. The name of each member shall be called
in any roll call, and one of its representatives shall reply “yes,” “no,” “abstention,” or “pass.”
Only those members who designate themselves as present or present and voting during the attendance roll call, or
in some other manner communicate their attendance to the President and/or Secretariat, are permitted to vote and,
as such, no others will be called during a roll-call vote. Any representatives replying pass must, on the second time
through, respond with either a yes or no vote. A pass cannot be followed by a second pass for the same proposal or
amendment, nor can it be followed by an abstention on that same proposal or amendment.
2. When the Committee votes by mechanical means, a non-recorded vote shall replace a vote by show of
placards and a recorded vote shall replace a roll-call vote. A representative may request a recorded vote.
In the case of a recorded vote, the Committee shall dispense with the procedure of calling out the names
of the members.
3. The vote of each member participating in a roll call or a recorded vote shall be inserted in the record.
Rule 34 - Explanations of vote
Representatives may make brief statements consisting solely of explanation of their votes after the voting has been
completed. The representatives of a member sponsoring a proposal or motion shall not speak in explanation of vote
thereon, except if it has been amended, and the member has voted against the proposal or motion.
All explanations of vote must be submitted to the President in writing before debate on the topic is closed, except
where the representative is of a member sponsoring the proposal, as described in the second clause, in which case
the explanation of vote must be submitted to the President in writing immediately after voting on the topic ends.
Rule 35 - Conduct during voting
After the President has announced the commencement of voting, no representatives shall interrupt the voting except
on a point of order in connection with the actual process of voting.
For purposes of this rule, there shall be no communication amongst delegates, and if any delegate leaves the
Committee room during voting procedure, they will not be allowed back into the room until the Committee has
convened voting procedure.
Rule 36 - Division of proposals and amendments
Immediately before a proposal or amendment comes to a vote, a representative may move that parts of a proposal or
of an amendment should be voted on separately. If there are calls for multiple divisions, those shall be voted upon in
an order to be set by the President where the most radical division will be voted upon first. If objection is made to
the motion for division, the request for division shall be voted upon, requiring the support of a majority of those
present and voting to pass. Permission to speak on the motion for division shall be given only to two speakers in
favor and two speakers against. If the motion for division is carried, those parts of the proposal or of the amendment
which are approved shall then be put to a vote. If all operative parts of the proposal or of the amendment have been
rejected, the proposal or the amendment shall be considered to have been rejected as a whole.
For purposes of this rule, most radical division means the division that will remove the greatest substance from the
draft resolution, but not necessarily the one that will remove the most words or clauses. The determination of which
division is most radical is subject to the discretion of the Secretariat, and any such determination is final.
Rule 37 - Amendments
An amendment is a proposal that does no more than add to, delete from, or revise part of another proposal.
An amendment can add, amend, or delete operative clauses, but cannot in any manner add, amend, delete, or
otherwise affect preambulatory clauses.
Rule 38 - Voting on amendments
When an amendment is moved to a proposal, the amendment shall be voted on first. When two or more amendments
are moved to a proposal, the amendment furthest removed in substance from the original proposal shall be voted on
first and then the amendment next furthest removed there from, and so on until all the amendments have been put to
the vote. Where, however, the adoption of one amendment necessarily implies the rejection of another amendment,
the latter shall not be put to the vote. If one or more amendments are adopted, the amended proposal shall then be
voted on.
For purposes of this rule, furthest removed in substance means the amendment that will have the most significant
impact on the draft resolution. The determination of which amendment is furthest removed in substance is subject to
the discretion of the Secretariat, and any such determination is final.
Rule 39 - Order of voting on proposals
If two or more proposals, other than amendments, relate to the same question, they shall, unless the Committee
decides otherwise, be voted on in the order in which they were submitted.
Rule 40 - The President shall not vote
The President shall not vote but may designate another member of her/his delegation to vote in her/his place.
VII. CREDENTIALS
Rule 41 - Credentials
The credentials of representatives and the names of members of a delegation shall be submitted to the SecretaryGeneral prior to the opening of a session.
Rule 42 – Authority of the General Assembly
The Committee shall be bound by the actions of the General Assembly in all credentials matters and shall take no
action regarding the credentials of any member.
VII. PARTICIPATION OF NON-MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Rule 43 - Participation of non-Member States
The Committee shall invite any Member of the United Nations that is not a member of the Committee and any other
State, to participate in its deliberations on any matter of particular concern to that State.
A sub-committee or sessional body of the Committee shall invite any State that is not one of its own members to
participate in its deliberations on any matter of particular concern to that State. A State thus invited shall not have
the right to vote, but may submit proposals which may be put to the vote on request of any member of the body
concerned.
If the Committee considers that the presence of a Member invited according to this rule is no longer necessary, it
may withdraw the invitation. Delegates invited to the Committee according to this rule should also keep in mind
their role and obligations in the committee that they were originally assigned to. For educational purposes of the
NMUN Conference, the Secretariat may thus ask a delegate to return to his or her committee when his or her
presence in the Committee is no longer required.
Rule 45 - Participation of national liberation movements
The Committee may invite any national liberation movement recognized by the General Assembly to participate,
without the right to vote, in its deliberations on any matter of particular concern to that movement.
Rule 46 - Participation of and consultation with specialized agencies
In accordance with the agreements concluded between the United Nations and the specialized agencies, the
specialized agencies shall be entitled: a) To be represented at meetings of the Committee and its subsidiary organs;
b) To participate, without the right to vote, through their representatives, in deliberations with respect to items of
concern to them and to submit proposals regarding such items, which may be put to the vote at the request of any
member of the Committee or of the subsidiary organ concerned.
Rule 47 - Participation of non-governmental organization and intergovernmental organizations
Representatives of non-governmental organizations/intergovernmental organizations accorded consultative observer
status by the Economic and Social Council and other non-governmental organizations/intergovernmental
organizations designated on an ad hoc or a continuing basis by the Committee on the recommendation of the
Bureau, may participate, with the procedural right to vote, but not the substantive right to vote, in the deliberations
of the Committee on questions within the scope of the activities of the organizations.